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Geography

The Geography curriculum at Ernest Bevin Academy aims to inspire in students a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Our curriculum equips students with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources, natural and human environments, and a deep understanding of the Earth's key physical and human processes. As students progress, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9)

Year 7

Autumn Term

  • What is Geography?
  • Map skills and cartography
  • The UK's physical and human geography

Spring Term

  • Weather and climate
  • Ecosystems: Rainforests
  • Fieldwork investigation: Microclimate study

Summer Term

  • Settlement and urbanization
  • Population distribution and density
  • Local area study: London

Year 8

Autumn Term

  • Plate tectonics
  • Earthquakes and volcanoes
  • Tectonic hazard case studies

Spring Term

  • Development and economic activity
  • Global inequalities
  • Country study: Nigeria

Summer Term

  • Coasts and coastal processes
  • Coastal management
  • Fieldwork investigation: Coastal study

Year 9

Autumn Term

  • Rivers and river processes
  • Flooding and flood management
  • River basin case study: The River Thames

Spring Term

  • Climate change: Causes and effects
  • Climate change mitigation and adaptation
  • Sustainable resource management

Summer Term

  • Globalisation and global connections
  • Tourism and ecotourism
  • GCSE preparation: Key geographical skills

Key Stage 4 (Years 10-11)

At Key Stage 4, students follow the AQA GCSE Geography specification. This balanced framework of physical and human geography enables students to investigate the link between the two themes, and approach and examine the battles between the man-made and natural worlds.

Year 10

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

  • The challenge of natural hazards (tectonic hazards, weather hazards, climate change)
  • The living world (ecosystems, tropical rainforests, cold environments)
  • Physical landscapes in the UK (coastal landscapes, river landscapes)
  • Geographical skills

Year 11

Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment

  • Urban issues and challenges
  • The changing economic world
  • The challenge of resource management (energy)
  • Geographical skills

Paper 3: Geographical applications

  • Issue evaluation
  • Fieldwork
  • Geographical skills

Assessment

  • Paper 1: Living with the physical environment (35% of GCSE)
  • Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment (35% of GCSE)
  • Paper 3: Geographical applications (30% of GCSE)

Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form)

In the Sixth Form, students can study A-Level Geography. We follow the AQA specification, which provides an exciting and engaging course that explores physical and human geography and the complex people-environment interactions that shape our world.

Course Content

Physical Geography:

  • Water and carbon cycles
  • Hot desert environments and their margins
  • Coastal systems and landscapes
  • Hazards
  • Ecosystems under stress
  • Cold environments

Human Geography:

  • Global systems and global governance
  • Changing places
  • Contemporary urban environments
  • Population and the environment
  • Resource security

Geography fieldwork investigation:

  • Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field
  • The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student
  • 4,000-word report

Fieldwork and Enrichment

Fieldwork is an essential part of geography education at Ernest Bevin Academy. We provide a range of opportunities for students to experience geography beyond the classroom:

  • Year 7: Local area study in Tooting and microclimate investigation
  • Year 8: Coastal fieldwork at Cuckmere Haven
  • Year 9: Urban regeneration study in East London
  • GCSE: Residential fieldwork in Dorset (physical geography) and London Docklands (human geography)
  • A-Level: Residential fieldwork in North Wales
  • Geography Club for all year groups
  • Geography Ambassadors program for Sixth Form students
  • Annual lecture series with visiting speakers
  • Participation in the Royal Geographical Society's competitions
  • International trips (previous destinations include Iceland and Morocco)

How Parents Can Help

  • Encourage an interest in current affairs and geographical events
  • Watch news programs and documentaries that cover geographical themes
  • Visit places of geographical interest (coastal areas, museums, urban environments)
  • Discuss environmental issues and sustainable practices at home
  • Support with revision using past papers and revision guides
  • Encourage the use of Ordnance Survey maps when visiting new places
  • Support participation in fieldwork activities

Useful Resources

Websites

Additional Resources

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