GEOGRAPHY
Aims The Geography course is about the earth’ s landscapes, people, places and environments. Students understand their own lives in a global world and face vital global issues. Geography is an academically robust subject which promotes a lifelong interest and about how the world works.
Skills Skills focus on knowledge with understanding, data analysis, problem solving, decision making and enquiry. Geographical Information Skills( GIS) and presentation skills are integral to the course.
Content The Physical Geography component of the course consists of two topics: l Hazardous Environments is about three different natural hazards that threaten people: tropical cyclones, volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Is it possible to predict when they will occur? What can be done to minimise their destructive impacts? l Coastal Environments studies the coast, its landforms and the processes that produce them. Coastal ecosystems are very important; resource exploitation is just one of a number of conflicts as development and conservation come face to face. How do we‘ best’ manage the coast?
The Human Geography component of the course consists of three topics: l Economic Activity and Energy is about a range of economic activities that provide people with work; they help countries to develop and become more prosperous. Economic activities and lifestyles in the modern world are demanding more and more energy. How should we generate this energy – by using non-renewable or renewable resources? l Urban Environments: Over half of the world’ s population lives in urban areas. Urbanisation brings benefits but also serious costs. Different strategies are needed to deal with the challenges of urban living including sustainable urban living. Will this result in an improved quality of life for all? l Global Issue is Globalisation and Migration: Globalisation is one of the most important processes affecting the world today and migration is one of its main outcomes. Content includes: – The factors encouraging the growth of the global economy. – The major player in that economy. – The push and pull factor responsible for today’ s huge migration flows. – The impacts of globalisation( TNC’ s, migration flows, global tourism).
– How can migration flows and global tourism by countries at different levels of development be managed?
Both exam papers consist of a mix of multiplechoice, short structured questions, data-response and extended open-ended questions. There are no essay style questions. Fieldwork enquiry is assessed in the exam. There is no coursework element.
Enrichment There are two one day‘ local’ geographical field trips: a coastal enquiry trip to East Sussex and an urban enquiry trip to East London. There is a six day‘ awe and wonder’ residential trip to Iceland. There are Y10 and Y11 Geography Extension Clubs.
34 THE MIDDLE SCHOOL | AT SEVENOAKS