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Geography explores and tackles the big issues in our world, and is a very popular subject at Beaumont.
- To stimulate pupils' interests in their surroundings on a global, national and local scale.
- To develop an understanding of the variety of physical and human landscapes and the inter-relationships between them.
- To foster a concern for the environment and sustainability.
- To enable pupils to develop general learning and subject-specific skills.
Geography is taught throughout the school using a skills and enquiry-based approach. Pupils are encouraged to investigate a range of ideas and problems using examples from all over the world. Great emphasis is put on observing and understanding the environment around them, so that they become aware of the inter-relationship between people and the environment.
In Years 7-9 (KS3) the syllabus is full and varied to give pupils an insight into the many different elements of Geography. The range and complexity of the material studied will clearly vary with the pupils’ ability and age.
In Year 7 pupils will study five topics. The first unit introduces students to their Personal Geography by investigating how they are linked to other places in the world and also how they are affected by issues in their local area. This is followed by looking at the impacts of flooding and drought, a small group country study, learning about Australia’s geography including the Great Barrier Reef and finally, at the end of the year, the students will learn about current events in Geography in the News.
For a summary of the curriculum in a particular KS3 school year you can download the relevant Year Course Booklet by clicking on these links:
Year 7 course booklet
Year 8 course booklet
Year 9 course booklet
Geography is a popular and enjoyable GCSE subject. GCSE students cover a mix of human and physical geography topics. In all topics there is an emphasis on the links between human beings and the physical environment. There is a strong focus on the ideas of sustainability, environmental responsibility and decision making.
Students will use a wide variety of skills and techniques including ICT, Ordnance Survey maps, graphical, mapping and enquiry skills. These skills are useful in other subjects and for further education/employment.
Fieldwork is an important part of the course, with an optional residential fieldtrip to Norfolk in Year 11 which looks at pressures of tourism on the natural environment and coastal landforms, or a local day trip to investigate the issues of recreation and conservation.
For details of the GCSE syllabus for students who began their GCSE course in September 2008 click on this link:
GCSE 2008-2010 syllabus
For details of the GCSE syllabus for students who begin their GCSE course in 2009 click on this link:
GCSE 2009-2011 syllabus
You can also obtain details of the course and coursework deadlines etc from the relevant Year Course Booklet by clicking on these links:
Year 10 course booklet
Year 11 course booklet
Students can take their interest in Geography further through AS, A level, and study at IB level in the sixth form. For details of all courses on offer at Key Stage 5 go to the BeauSandVer consortium website.
Years 7, 8 and 9 are assessed by a programme of levelled assessments, completed throughout the year. Classwork and homework is regularly checked and some assignments are based on research and fieldwork.
At GCSE level, the students present a fieldwork report drawing upon the skills of observation, recording and interpretation. Those students beginning their GCSE course in 2009 will complete this report under controlled conditions in class time. The report is worth 25% of the final grade.
A wide range of materials and resources is used including videos, radio broadcasts, textbooks, newspaper articles, photographs, maps, CD Roms and ICT resources. The department also has their own IT room with access to GIS resources.
Fieldwork is very important in Geography. At Key Stage 3 pupils undertake a river study, a combined day project with the Art department about sustainability and a visit along the Thames looking at redevelopment and flood risk in London. Residential field trips are offered at both GCSE and ‘A’ level - to Sheringham in Norfolk and Swanage in Dorset. Students also have opportunities to visit fantastic places of huge interest to Geographers such as Iceland during their time at Beaumont.
Miss S Hosegood |
Head of Geography |
Mr R Osborne |
Geography Teacher |
Mrs V Mitchell |
Geography Teacher |
Miss S Kent |
Geography Teacher |
Mrs K Patrick |
Geography Teacher |
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