It is vital that students develop a deep knowledge of the world that we live in, to ensure they are educated global citizens and understand the true value of Planet Earth. Geography covers the physical environment and how humans interact with it, with a key focus on the changes that are occurring in the 21st century globalised world and the impact it has on all of us.
Enquiry based learning is key in our Geography curriculum to ensure students develop high level thinking skills, such as critical thinking and evaluation, so they can investigate the issues for the present and the future of the planet, exploring all scales, from the personal to the local and the global.
The Planet Earth is the Geography classroom, and it is essential for our students to interact with it. Field work underpins our Geography curriculum, at a range of scales, to encourage questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future. Our students learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information. Field work varies from investigating the local environment to larger scale residential trips to the Isle of Arran and Iceland.
We are fortunate that our students come from a diverse range of backgrounds and we pride ourselves in including their experiences/heritage within our subject. As staff we have the highest expectations about the quality of work and the respect students show one another in every lesson.
The aim for the department is to ensure that the Geography curriculum is intellectually challenging and relevant to the students of Crossley Heath. This enables students to succeed to the highest standard and to be able to understand their role as responsible global citizen of Planet Earth.
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | UK Geography An introduction to the physical and human Geography of the UK. A decision making exercise using local field work to introduce key geographical skills | European Geography An introduction to the physical and human Geography of Europe Map Skills Developing geographical skills by learning to read OS maps | Development An introduction to the unequal world that we live in and to investigate strategies to close the development gap. | Amazing Places An study of six amazing places on Planet Earth, including Antarctica and Galapagos Islands to allow students to explore the vibrant world they live in. | Africa An in-depth study of the continent of Africa. Focus on the issues of development and future of the continent, whist development a range of geographical skills |
| Year 8 | Middle East Investigating the physical and human geography of the area. Developing an understanding the culture of the region and debate conflict resolution linked to natural resources | The Amazon The issue of deforestation and a decision making activity to investigate the future of the region. | Plate Tectonics The geography behind volcanoes and earthquakes. A study of major hazards around the world. | Geography of Crime We study crime to find hotspots where crimes are likely to occur. It helps to plan safer living spaces and to prevent crime. | China An in-depth study of China, investigate its role on the global stage and the future for the country. |
GCSE Curriculum
Geography helps students to make sense of the world around them. It is hands on, it is relevant and it is fun. The GCSE course is a mix of topics such as urban issues, world development, extreme environments and hazards – to name but a few. The course will give students the chance to get to grips with some of the big questions which affect our world, and understand the social, economic and physical forces and processes which shape and change our world. The course provides a level of challenge that allows students to question the concept of sustainability in human and physical Geography.
The course presents a range of opportunities to learn new skills such as computer based mapping (called GIS), map skills, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. It also helps students improve their literacy and make practical use of numeracy skills when they interpret data and construct graphs. Fieldwork, is a really important part of geography, it is a brilliant opportunity to experience first-hand what they have learnt about in class, see things differently and of course have fun.
The course contains the following topics:
Physical Geography
Physical landscapes of the UK
The Living World
Natural Hazards
Human Geography
Urban Challenges
The Changing Economic World
The Challenges of Resource Management
A Level Geography
The course covers both the physical and human environments and the complex interaction of processes that shape our world. It also, importantly, shows how human intervention affects the environment and how people adapt and mitigate the effects of processes on their environment. This is offers a challenge for students, as it is complex and dynamic and varies from place to place depending on people’s resources, technology and culture. The course focuses on discussion and wider research which promotes independent thinking, which is a key requirement for any employer. It also includes a variety of field work opportunities, including a residential trip to the Isle of Arran.
The course contains the following topics:
Physical Geography
Coastal Landscapes
Water and Carbon Cycle
Natural Hazards
Human Geography
Urban Challenges
The Globalised World
Changing Places
The Enriched Curriculum
The Geography department is committed to ensuring that Geography students are supported every step of the way. Teachers are available to support students at lunchtime and after school. In addition to this, there is a Disaster Movie club for Year 7 and Year 8. It shows ‘geographical movies’ and then discusses the issues with the geographical content and how relevant it is in the world today. The department also runs an environmental club, with the aim of making the school as sustainable as possible.
The Geography department runs a range of fieldwork to inspire students, develop their confidence and to help them to develop a deeper understanding of the topics being studied.
Field trips
Year 7 –Micro climate study and decision making exercise around Crossley Heath.
Year 8 – ‘The Geography of Crime’ Day of fieldwork to explore the topic
Year 9 – Day trip to Hornsea – investigating the impacts groynes have on a coastal environment
Year 10 – Salford Quays – investigating the regeneration of the area
Year 10 – Iceland – an awe inspiring trip to promotes all aspects of Geography
Year 12 – Isle of Arran – Residential trip to develop geographical skills
Year 12 – Hebden Bridge – Local study of ‘sense of place’
