Subject Leader: Abi Wright
Subject Team: K Green, S Green, V Twine, R Woodland, G White and S Hodges
General subject statement:
Geography at Coombe Dean aspires to provide students with relevant and topical geographical content,that inspires students to become well rounded global citizens. Lessons are planned to teach students about local, national and global issues and challenges, focusing on ways that we can help manage a sustainable future.
Key Stage 3
Subject statement: To explore key concepts and processes in a range of geographical locations whilst equipping students with key geographical skills needed to progress further with Geography. Overview of Topics Covered:
Year 7
Term | Scheme of Work |
Autumn 1 | Fantastic Places (Where in the world): Links to Spec: Countries & Major cities/Map skills/OS Skills |
Autumn 2 | Asia/Tectonics: Links to Spec: Place knowledge (Asia)/Plate Tectonics |
Spring 1 | Rainforests: Links to Spec: Use of natural resource/Economic activity |
Spring 2 | Weather & Climate: Links to Spec: Fieldwork/weather and climate |
Summer 1 | Coasts & Rivers (case study of a local area): Links to Spec: Glaciation, Hydrology, coasts) |
Summer 2 | Dartmoor: Links to Spec: Geological timescales/ Rocks, weathering and soils/natural resources |
Year 8
Term | Scheme of Work |
Autumn 1 | The Arctic and Sustainability: Links to Spec: Glaciation/Polar ecosystems/natural resources/economic activity/climate change/Russia |
Autumn 2 | Africa:
Links to Spec: Desert ecosystems/Africa as a region/international development |
Spring 1 | Globalisation: Links to Spec: Asia as a region/economic activity/population |
Spring 2 | Population: Links to Spec: Population and Urbanisation/China/Russia |
Summer 1 | Oceania & Climate Change: Links to Spec: Weather and Climate/ice-age to present |
Summer 2 | DME AOB |
Each Scheme of Work consists of the following:
- Outline sheet
- Mid and Post Topic Review Sheets
- Skill Assessment Sheets
- Reflection opportunities
- End of topic skill test
- Homework Task
Key Stage 4
Subject statement:GCSE Geography lessons at Coombe Dean follows the AQA Specification over a 3 year period. This new specification, which started in 2016, is exciting and relevant. Based on a balance between physical and human Geography, students have the opportunity to investigate the link between the two themes and explore the battle between the man-made and natural worlds. Topics of study include current issues such as climate change, poverty, deprivation, economic power and sustainability. Students also have potential to understand their role in society and consider different viewpoints, attitudes and values.
Exam board: AQA http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035
Overview of Topics Covered:
Year 9 (3x lessons per week) | 9 | 10 | 11 |
Autumn 1 | Introduction Lesson. Skill Test Natural Hazards (6 weeks) |
Physical Landscapes in the UK (2 weeks) Coastal Landscapes (6 weeks) |
Ecosystems (2 weeks) Tropical Rainforests (6 weeks) |
Autumn 2 | Natural Hazards: Tropical Storms (4 weeks) Extreme weather in the UK (3 weeks) |
Finish Coastal Landscapes (2 weeks) Start River Landscapes (7 weeks) |
Hot or Cold Environments (5 weeks) Start Economic World (2 weeks) |
Spring 1 | Climate Change Global and UK (4 weeks) | Urban Issues and Challenges | Changing Economic World (6 weeks) |
Spring 2 | Resource Management | Urban Issues and Challenges | Changing Economic World (6 weeks) |
Summer 1 | Resource Management | Fieldwork Investigation | DME pre release Revision |
Summer 2 | Resource Management | Fieldwork Investigation |
Year 10 (3x lessons per week) | 10 | 11 |
Autumn 1 | Natural Hazards (8 Weeks) | Ecosystems (8 weeks) |
Autumn 2 | Finish Natural Hazards (1 week) Urban Issues and Challenges (4 weeks) |
Finish Ecosystems (1 week) Challenge of Resource Management (7 weeks) |
Spring 1 | Urban Issues and Challenges cont. (6 weeks) | Changing Economic World (6 Weeks) |
Spring 2 | Physical Landscapes of the UK (6 weeks) | Changing Economic World (5 weeks) |
Summer 1 | Physical Landscapes (4 weeks) | DME work pre release (3 weeks) Revision (3 weeks) |
Summer 2 | Fieldwork planning, preparation, visits and write up (5 weeks) |
Exam Information (Nature of Assessment):
3 exams
Paper 1 : Living with the physical environment (35%)
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment (35%)
Paper 3: Geographical applications (30%) Linked to fieldwork.
Useful website links:
- Year 11 Geography Revision Help
- www.geographypods.com
- http://www.gcsegeography.co.uk/
- http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/
- https://revisionworld.com/gcse-revision/geography
Key Stage 5
Subject statement: Students follow the Edexcel A Level Specification at Coombe Dean, with a compulsory AS examination at the end of Year 12. Students are challenged to develop an understanding of geographical concepts and processes, recognise the challenges of sustainability and the implications for their own and others’ lives, and develop geography skills through classroom teaching and fieldwork. The Edexcel specification bases itself on relevant and contemporary themes, which addresses issues that global citizens will have to face, and explores ways in which we can manage them. Students are supported to become critical, reflective and independent learners.
Exam board: Edexcel
Year 12: http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2016.html
Year 13: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2008.html
Overview of Topics Covered
Year 12:
Term 1
- Tectonic Processes and Hazards
- Coastal Landscapes and Change
- Globalisation
- Area of study 2, Topic 4: Shaping Places – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 4A Regenerating Places or 4B Diverse Places
Year 13:
VIT (2 lessons/wk) | AW (3 lessons/wk) | |
Autumn term | Energy (unit 3) Biodiversity under threat (unit 3) |
Superpowers (unit 3) Development (unit 3) Tech fix (unit 3) |
Spring | Start unit 4 (causes) Unit 4- physical impacts of the landscape |
Tech fix cont’d Unit 4: human issues and management |
Summer | Revision Prep of preleased information |
Revision Prep of preleased information |
Exam Information (Nature of Assessment)
Year 13:
- The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
- The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security
- Superpowers
- Migration, Identity and Sovereignty
Year 13:
Unit 3: Contested Planet. Examined on all of the above. 2-hour-and-30-minute examination in two sections. Students will be asked to select and answer two questions from five in Section A and all questions in Section B. Section A: A choice of two short essay questions from five. Section B (Synoptic Investigation): One question with three parts. 60% of A2
Unit 4: Geographical Research. 1 hour and 30 minute examination. Candidates will be given a list of questions based on the six options. Candidates will select and answer one question that relates to the option they have studied. 40% of A2
Useful websites links: