Geography
The term “Geography” derives from two ancient Greek words: “geo” meaning Earth and “graphia” meaning describing or depicting. Studying Geography at Copleston will give students the opportunity to explore and describe many of the wonderful patterns, processes and landforms on our planet. It will also help students to understand and analyse some of the most important issues of our time, including how to deal with the climate change crisis. Geography is a well-respected and fascinating discipline which will open doors to many future carer pathways for students.
Vision
“The goal of Geography is nothing less than an understanding of the vast interacting system comprising all humanity and its natural environment on the surface of the Earth”
Edward Ackerman
Curriculum Maps
A summary of some of the topics we study are outlined in our curriculum maps:
How will my child be assessed?
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Assessment and Feedback Outline Approach |
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KS3 |
2 units are taught each term, 1 of these units has a formal summative assessment which receives detailed written feedback. Decision making exercises that require extended writing are incorporated into units, these are also identified for detailed written feedback. Recap quizzes, spelling tests and some homework projects are examples of where peer and self-assessment can be used. |
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KS4 |
Each topic delivered has an end of unit test which receives detailed written feedback. Mock exams in Year 10 and 11 also have detailed written feedback. In addition, key 9 mark questions are identified in lessons for detailed feedback. Recap quizzes, exam questions using mark schemes and model answers, and homework questions are all examples of where peer and self-assessment can be used. |
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KS5 |
An assessment timeline is shared with the students, which includes monthly summative assessments which receive detailed written feedback, along with formal mock exams. Some research tasks are also identified for detailed written feedback. Exam questions using marks schemes and model answers and recap quizzes are examples of where peer and self-assessment can be used. Coursework is marked in line with exam board guidance. This is included as one of the summative assessments in February of Year 13. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Year 8
What Will I Learn?
Year 8 covers a variety of topics covering both Human and Physical Geography, and considers some of the major issues facing the world. These include a focus on places such as China where we look at issues relating to world population growth and in the resources unit we look at issues like recycling and our role as global citizens.
How Will I Be Assessed?
You will be assessed in a variety of ways in Geography. These include project and group work, presentations, Problem- solving tasks, as well as more formal written assessments.
What Different Types of Activities Will I Do Over Time to Help Me Learn?
Geography lessons are planned to give a wide variety of activities to develop a range of skills and cater for different learning styles. Students will be asked to work individually, in pairs or as a part of a larger group.
How Will This Help Me to Progress to the Next Year or Key Stage?
In Y8 we aim to get students looking at issues in a wider global context. This enables them to develop their ability to look at problems and solutions from multiple perspectives, and work on their skills of evaluation and justification.
Year 9
What Will I Learn?
Year 9 covers a variety of topics covering both Human and Physical Geography. These include a focus on places such as Japan where we look at how technology may enable us to overcome some of our problems. We also look at global issues like Poverty and Inequality, as well as the hazards posed by Volcanoes and Earthquakes.
How Will I Be Assessed?
You will be assessed in a variety of ways in Geography. These include project and group work, presentations, Problem- solving tasks, as well as more formal written assessments.
What Different Types of Activities Will I Do Over Time to Help Me Learn?
Geography lessons are planned to give a wide variety of activities to develop a range of skills and cater for different learning styles. Students will be asked to work individually, in pairs or as a part of a larger group.
How Will This Help Me to Progress to the Next Year or Key Stage?
In Y9 we aim to get students to understand the complexity of the world in which we live and be able to explain why those differences exist. Complexity is a key concept students need to be able to progress through to GCSE geography in Y10.
Year 10
What Will I Learn?
Y10 contains a mixture of Human and Physical Geography topics. These include Weather & Climate, MEDC Urban issues, coasts and World Development.
How Will I Be Assessed?
There are no exam based assessments in this year but students will have lots of exam question practice and their write up of case studies will be assessed against GCSE grade criteria.
What Different Types of Activities Will I Do Over Time to Help Me Learn?
Geography lessons are planned to give a wide variety of activities to develop a range of skills and cater for different learning styles. Students will be asked to work individually, in pairs or as a part of a larger group. Activities are designed to give students the depth of knowledge and skills to maximise their achievement.
How Will This Help Me to Progress to the Next Year or Key Stage?
Many of the key ideas and terminology developed in Y10 is the foundation of the topics covered in Y11. The knowledge gained in Y10 is assessed in the Exams at the end of Y11.
Year 11
What Will I Learn?
Y11 contains a mixture of Human and Physical Geography topics. These include Ecosystems with a focus on Tropical Rainforests, LEDC Urban issues, and Rivers. This year will also include the Controlled Assessment element of their course.
How Will I Be Assessed?
In this year they will complete their one piece of Controlled Assessment worth 25% of their final grade in the Autumn term.
At the end of the year they will have 2 exams:
- CROSS UNIT PROBLEM SOLVING EXERCISE (45%): this exam is designed to test the skills developed over the course, e.g. map reading and data analysis.
- KNOWLEDGE EXAM (30%): this examines the knowledge and case studies learnt throughout the course
What Different Types of Activities Will I Do Over Time to Help Me Learn?
Geography lessons are planned to give a wide variety of activities to develop a range of skills and cater for different learning styles. Students will be asked to work individually, in pairs or as a part of a larger group. Activities are designed to give students the depth of knowledge and skills to maximise their achievement.
How Will This Help Me to Progress to the Next Year or Key Stage?
The skills developed at GCSE are useful for a variety of subjects as students deal with information from a variety of types of source materials and from different perspectives. The knowledge and skills are the basis for success at A-level Geography as it builds upon the topics covered.
A-level Geographers are sort after for their ability to evaluate information and real world problem solving skills.