Geography
The Geography Department at Harton Technology College consists of a suite of 5 teaching rooms and 6 full time 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 16 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 “People and the Natural Environment”, this comprises 40% of the total mark.
Paper 2
Based on a study of “People and the Human Environment", this comprises 35% of the total mark.
Paper 3
Based on Coursework, this enquiry is based on investigating whether a shopping hierarchy exists in South Shields. This comprises 25% of the total mark.
Staff
- Mr. A. J. Doneghan (Subject Leader)
- Mrs J Maw (Assistant Head Teacher, Assessment, Recording & Reporting)
- Mr. C. Chesborough (Director of KS4)
- Mrs H. Daglish
- Mr. R. Gordon (Director of KS3)
- Mrs. K. Lamb (Part Time)
- Mr. R. Thornton
