geography

Information about the Subject Area:

The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever done before. Geography explains why, and helps to prepare you for those changes. Geography tackles the big issues such as environmental responsibility, our global interdependence, cultural understanding and tolerance, commerce, trade and industry. We also look at some of the classic ideas of natural hazards, maps, weather patterns, countries and landscapes. The GCSE course we chose has even more to do with UK Geography and learners will have the opportunity to really get to know their own country in great detail.  Geographical study fosters these qualities and provides a firm basis for life-long learning. Geography is about the future and encourages flexible thinking.

The OCR Geography B GCSE 9-1 for enquiring minds course is the one we chose for its exciting and interesting content, which is a mixture of the more popular traditional elements of Geography, combined with new ideas and approaches which allow learners of the 21st Century to understand the ever changing relationship between people and the environment in which they live.

Course Content:

The course will involve being able to learn about all the physical processes that shape our world and how humans interact with the world.  This will include topics that will help you understand the weather, how earthquakes and other hazards occur, extreme environments, why some countries are richer than others, where we live, how we are changing our planet, rivers and coasts.  It is all centered around a set of key questions to facilitate the enquiry approach.

Controlled Assessment:

There will no longer be a controlled assessment submitted in its traditional form, instead learners will conduct two pieces of field work and write these up.  Then the exams will contain questions that check the learners understanding and knowledge of how to conduct geography field work. 

You will learn through case studies, discussions, field trips, using up to date geographical software, using sources, and geographical theory.  There will be a focus on practising key skills that are transferable in the workplace like co-operating, empathy, problem solving and analysing information. We run a variety of fieldwork opportunities which help learners to pick up first hand data and information on all the units.  We are required to visit two separate locations to study both Human and Physical Geography.  For instance, Walton on the Naze and Colchester City Centre.

The course is for learners who have an interest in the world around them and the ever changing environment.  This course is for those who like geographical investigation, fieldwork and the study of the natural environment.  You will enjoy this course if you like to learn in a variety of ways mixing issues you’ve seen or read about in the news with what you need to learn for the exam.  Geographers are amazing problem solvers so if this is a skill you would like to learn or practise then Geography is for you.

From 2016 learners will study the OCR B course called Geography for Enquiring Minds.  The course is divided into 3 sections:

• Our Natural World (Physical Geography)

• People and Society (Human Geography)

• Geographical Exploration (Skills)

Our Natural World is a Physical Geography section which covers exciting topics such as weather, plate tectonics, climate change and ecosystems.

People and Society is a Human Geography section which covers topics such as the UK, cities and urban areas, wealth and resources.

Within each of these sections you will carry out two pieces of fieldwork within the local area.  You will produce both a Human and Physical Geography project using field techniques which you will write about again in your final exams.

Geographical Exploration is an exam which checks development of learners’ geographical skills such as statistics, cartography and enquiry skills.  As well as your ability to think synoptically, which means linking topics or ideas together.

The exams will be as follows:

• Our Natural World is 1 hour and 15 minutes and is worth 35% of the final grade.

• People and Society is 1 hour and 15 minutes and is worth 35% of the final grade,

• Geographical Exploration is 1 hour and 30 minutes and is worth 30% of the final grade.

Many of our former learners have gone on to do A-levels in Geography, Geology and Environmental Science or have taken courses such as Public Services in order to pursue careers in the armed forces or the emergency services.

Geography has a long established reputation as a high value course to study.  More employers are looking to employ geographers because the subject fosters transferable skills; an asset in the complex world of employment today. Many jobs need people who can organise information and who can make decisions in order to solve problems. You will learn how to justify these decisions, and to recognise how they will affect different people. You will learn how to minimise the damage caused by your decisions.

If you study Geography, you will find it challenging, interesting, enjoyable and very rewarding. You will have the opportunity to study issues first hand through fieldwork. You will have the opportunity to undertake geographical investigations along a coastline or urban area and closer to school at our local river or in our local village. 

Mrs Morrow, Subject Leader for KS4 Geography (lmorrow@honywoodschool.com)

Mrs Harris, Subject Leader for KS3 Geography (aharris@honywoodschool.com)