Geography

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The Geography Department at Harton Technology College consists of a suite of 3 teaching rooms and 7 staff. We teach Geography at KS3 and KS4 and BTEC Travel and Tourism.

The department is a close knit community and the staff aim to offer a UNITED approach. We deliver a broad curriculum using a variety of teaching strategies and consider ourselves to be at the cutting edge of technology. All rooms have PCs, Internet connectivity, PowerPoint, projectors and DVD players.

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 3 Geography is divided into a progressive programme of study comprising 9 modules of work. During these 3 years, students investigate a wide range of people, places and environments at different scales. They learn about geographical patterns and processes and how political, economic, social and environmental factors effect contemporary geographical issues. This develops a knowledge of places and environments throughout the world, an understanding of maps, and a range of investigative and problem solving techniques.

Key Stage 4

Students at Key Stage 4 follow AQA Syllabus A Geography.

The aims set out below describe the educational purposes of following a course based on GCSE Geography Specification A. Some of these aims are reflected in the assessment objectives; others are not because they cannot readily be translated into measurable objectives. The aims are not listed in order of priority.

The specification offers opportunities for candidates to:

• acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of places, environments and geographical patterns at a range of scales from local to global, as well as an understanding of the physical and human processes, including decision making, which affect their development;
• develop a sense of place and an appreciation of environment, as well as awareness of the ways in which people and environments interact, the importance of sustainable development in those interactions, and the opportunities, challenges and constraints faced by people in different places;
• develop an understanding of global citizenship and the ways in which people and environments are interdependent;
• appreciate that the study of geography is dynamic, not only because places, geographical features, patterns and issues change, but also because new ideas and methods lead to new interpretations;
• understand the significance and efforts of people’s values and attitudes, including their own, in how decisions are made about the use and management of environments and resources, in relation to geographical issues and questions;
• acquire and apply the skills and techniques – including those of mapwork, fieldwork and information, and communication technology (ICT) – needed to conduct geographical study and enquiry.

The course is assessed via 3 externally marked papers:

Paper 1
Based on a study of “Physical Geography”, this comprises 37.5% of the total mark.

Paper 2
Based on a study of “Human Geography”, this comprises 37.5% of the total mark.

Paper 3
Based on a Local Fieldwork Investigation, this comprises 25% of the total mark.

Key Stage 5

The course is designed to address key ideas and debates in the world today, such as climate change, globalisation, urban regeneration and management of the world’s resources.  It also aims to provide a knowledge and understanding of physical processes and human behaviour.

What will the subject include?
Physical and Human Geography including the study of core geographical concepts along with contrasting theme of contemporary or environmental impact, management and sustainability.

In unit 1 – Students will study the core physical section of Rivers, floods and management alongside the core human section of Population change. In addition there are three optional physical topics: Cold environments, Coastal environments and Hot desert environments and their margins from which you will study one. Likewise there are three optional human topics of Food supply issues, Energy issues and Health Issues of which you will study one.

In unit 2 – Students will also develop Geographical skills in planning, collecting and analysing information as well as concluding and evaluating fieldwork and research finding.

In Unit 3 – Students will introduce key contemporary global issues, and will allow you to explore the significance of the issues and examine a range of impacts and potential solutions to them.

Physical options include: Plate tectonics and associated hazards, Weather and climate and associated hazards, Ecosystems: change and challenge.

Human options include: World cities, Development and globalisation, Contemporary conflicts and challenges.

You will also develop research skills which provides second year students with the opportunity to specialise in an area of geography that interests them.

Subject specific requirements?
For those students who did not take GCSE Geography a minimum of one grade B in a science subject.

Staff

• Mr A J Doneghan, Subject Leader
• Mrs H Herbertson, Advanced Skilled Teacher
• Mrs K Lamb, part-time
• Mrs J Maw, Deputy Headteacher (Assessment, Recording & Reporting & KS3)
• Mr C Chesborough, Deputy Headteacher (Pastoral)
• Mrs K Brown
• Miss R Ferguson