Geography
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Below you will find information on the Geography curriculum at Preston School. The five year learning journey for Geography is available in all student books, in the Geography Department, and to view here.
Year 7
In Year 7, students study four hours of Geography and as such, undertake six Study Cycles during the year.
Study Cycle 1 - An Introduction to Geography
Overview: During this topic you will learn about what Geography is, the difference between Human and Physical Geography and what and where the world’s major countries, continents and oceans are. You will also learn about development – what it is, how it can be measured and how it varies between different places and countries. You will also complete an extended group work research project and presentation on a country of your choice. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your ‘What is Geography’ poster / title page. You will receive whole class feedback on your ‘Comparing Development’ question. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this cycle in the form of a teacher assessed exam which will provide a formal grade at the end of this Study Cycle. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 2 - Extreme Environments
Overview: During this topic you will learn about the world’s most extreme environments, where it is difficult for life to survive. You will look at Polar Regions (the Arctic and Antarctica), hot deserts (such as the Sahara Desert) and mountains (such as Mt. Everest and the Himalayas); focusing on what makes these environments extreme and how people, plants and animals have to adapt to live and survive in these places. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your ‘How should Antarctica be used?’ task. You will receive whole class feedback on your ‘Extreme Environment Information Poster’. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 3 - Dangerous Planet - Part 1
Overview: During this topic you will study the structure of the earth, continental drift, the theory of plate tectonics and what plate boundaries are. You will be able to identify the different types of plate boundary and the hazards that can occur in these tectonic regions. You will then focus on Volcanoes specifically looking at where they occur, why they happen, their differing types and the impact they have when they erupt. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your plate tectonic activity. You will receive whole class feedback on your Volcano fact-file research task. You will undertake a summative assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 4 - Dangerous Planet - Part 2
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 5 - Fantastic Places in the UK - Part 1
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 6 - Fantastic Places in the UK - Part 2
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Year 8
In Year 8, students study four hours of Geography and as such, undertake six Study Cycles during the year.
Study Cycle 1 - Global Issues and Challenges - Part 1
Overview: During the first half of this topic you will study a range of the most important and pressing issues facing the world. You will study population growth and its causes, urbanisation and its causes and potential impacts, how urban areas can be made more sustainable and species extinction, focusing on why species are vanishing and what can be done about it. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your megacity research poster/fact file. You will receive whole class feedback on your species extinction question focusing on orangutans. You will undertake a summative assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 2 - Global Issues and Challenges - Part 2
Overview: During the second half of this topic you will study a range of the most important and pressing issues facing the world. You will study climate change including its causes, impacts and potential solutions. You will also study the importance of global resources- namely food, water and energy and the issues that these resources face in terms of supplies, shortages and environmental damage. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your climate change letter. You will receive whole class feedback on your question comparing the water shortages in Australia and East Africa. You will undertake a summative assessment at the end of this study cycle in the form of a teacher assessed exam. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 3 - Living in a Globalised World
Overview: During this study cycle you will study economic Geography through studying the Global Economy and how employment and industry have changed across the world. You will study the force of Globalisation and how it has impacted people all over the world in their every day lives. You will also study how Globalisation has allowed Trans-National Companies (TNCs) to thrive and how these TNCs have brought advantages and disadvantages to the world. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your globalisation question. You will receive whole class feedback on your TNC advantage and disadvantage poster. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle in the form of a teacher assessed exam. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 4 - The Geography of Crime
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 5 - Rivers of the World
Overview: This cycle includes lots of historical sources to be analysed. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 6 - Tribes of the World
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Year 9
In Year 9, students study four hours of Geography and as such, undertake six Study Cycles during the year.
Study Cycle 1 - Tourism - Paradise or Peril - Part 1
Overview: In this cycle you will learn about the different types of tourism, how tourist destinations go through different stages of development and the opportunities and challenges they bring. You will then learn why people visit the UK and the varying destinations they visit. You will also look at the different types of tourism and why going on holiday is increasing in popularity. The final part of this cycle will look at what National Parks are and the opportunities and challenges that tourism brings to these protected areas of outstanding natural beauty. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your fact file investigation of tourism in USA, France or Spain. You will receive whole class feedback on the National park DME. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 2 - Tourism - Paradise or Peril - Part 2
Overview: During this cycle you will look at what mass tourism is and the impacts it is having on people, the environment and the economy of differing countries. Next you will learn what extreme tourism and ecotourism are and why they are growing in popularity. Finally, you will analyse the impacts of tourism on Jamaica and assess whether the impacts have had a positive or negative impact on the country. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on the opportunities and challenges that destinations face because of Mass Tourism. You will receive whole class feedback on your understanding of Ecotourism at the Yachana Ecolodge. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 3 - Our Oceans - Part 1
Overview: During this cycle you will look at what oceans are and the characteristics of their various ecosystems and environments, including the five layers of the ocean. You will study how oceans are important to both people and the natural world, before ending the cycle by studying how humans are endangering oceans through the process of overfishing. You will study the Mediterranean Sea as an example of the social, economic and environmental challenges that overfishing is bringing. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and will be available to view here soon.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive feedback on your ocean ecosystem research poster/fact file. You will receive feedback on your Bluefin tuna overfishing question. You will undertake a summative assessment in the form of a written exam at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 4 - Our Oceans - Part 2
Overview: During this cycle you will continue look at the importance of our oceans. You will learn about Coral Reefs, Polar Oceans and the threats they face, before ending the cycle studying the importance of the Indian Ocean. You will study the impacts of plastic pollution and identify the social, economic and environmental challenges that this brings, as well as analysing the possible solutions to this global issue.The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and will be available to view here soon.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive feedback on your ocean’s investigation. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 5 - Wild Weather
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and will be available to view here soon.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 6 - The Challenge of Resource Management
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and will be available to view here soon.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
GCSE Geography
Below you will find information on the Geography curriculum at Preston School. The five year learning journey for Geography is available in all student books, in the Geography Department, and to view here.
One of the GCSE options available to students is GCSE Geography. In the video below, our Geography teacher Mr. Milverton, provides an overview of the course.
Year 10
During this year, you will fully study Unit 1 from the AQA GCSE syllabus - Living with the Physical Environment. This unit covers a wide range of physical Geography including The Challenge of Natural Hazards (E.g. Earthquakes, Tropical Storms and Floods) and their causes and responses, Climate Change- causes and solutions. The Living World: Ecosystems, Tropical Rainforests and Cold Environments- their importance and challenges facing them. Physical Landscapes in the UK: Coastal and River landscapes in the UK- including their physical processes and the landforms they create. We also study one component of Unit 2- Challenges in the Human Environment. This focuses on Urban Issues and Challenges, including in-depth studies of contrasting cities around the world focusing on the opportunities and challenges they create as well as how urban areas can be more sustainable.
Study Cycle 1 - The Challenge of Natural Hazards - Part 1
Overview: During this topic, you will look at tectonic hazards and the physical processes that cause them, as well as studying examples of their impacts and how they are responded to. You will also study weather hazards and the Earth’s atmospheric system, to understand how these hazards form and the impacts they can have- as well as how their impacts can be reduced. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive Whole Class Feedback on your Nepal and Chile Earthquake comparison. You will receive Whole Class Feedback on your Typhoon Haiyan newspaper article. This study cycle will be assessed by a written exam which will provide you with an assessment grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet is available to view here.
Study Cycle 2 - The Challenge of Natural Hazards - Part 2
Overview: During this topic, you will continue to study natural hazards- particularly weather hazards and how they have impacted the UK. This will be exemplified by studying several examples of weather hazards in the UK. Finally, you will focus on climate change and understand the causes, evidence and consequences it may bring. You will also study various strategies to manage climate change and its impacts. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your UK weather hazards question. You will receive whole class feedback on your Carbon Footprint infographic. This study cycle will be assessed by a Summative Assessment which will provide you with an assessment grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 3 - Urban Issues and Challenges - Part 1
Overview: During this topic you will learn about the cities of world and how the growth of urban areas (urbanisation) creates both opportunities and challenges. In this first part of the topic, you will learn about the changes in the rates of urbanisation across the world; as well as the causes of urban growth and the emergence of megacities. This topic will also focus on Rio de Janeiro – focusing on the opportunities and challenges created by its growth, as well as life in its slums – the favelas. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your ‘Rio Fact Sheet’ homework. You will receive whole class feedback on your ‘Opportunities and Challenges in Rio de Janeiro’ question. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 4 - Urban Issues and Challenges - Part 2
Overview: During this second part of the Urban Issues and Challenges topic you will learn about how the growth of cities in HICs creates both opportunities and challenges and how cities can become more sustainable in the future. It will focus on an in-depth case study of Bristol, looking at the social, economic and environmental opportunities and challenges created by its urban change. This topic will also look at how cities of the future can be more sustainable in areas, such as transport and energy; focusing on Freiburg as example of urban sustainability. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and will be available to view here soon.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive whole class feedback on your Bristol Practice Question. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this cycle in the form of a teacher assessed exam which will provide a formal grade at the end of this Study Cycle. An overview of the assessment opportunities in this Study Cycle will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 5 - The Living World
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and will be available to view here soon.
Assessment Opportunities: An overview of the assessment opportunities in this Study Cycle will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 6 - Physical Landscapes in the UK
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and will be available to view here soon.
Assessment Opportunities: An overview of the assessment opportunities in this Study Cycle will be available to view here soon.
Year 11
This year, you will study the final part of Unit 2 – Challenges in the Human World and work through the requirements for Unit 3 requirements - Geographical Application of the AQA GCSE syllabus. Unit 2 is about the human processes and systems of the world; you will study The Changing Economic World topic which includes what the Development gap is and how it can be closed, how Nigeria’s development growth as a NEE has presented opportunities and challenges and how the UK’s economy has changed. Unit 3 is about identifying, understanding and appreciating the interrelationships between different parts of the course. You will complete Fieldwork, firstly learning about the enquiry process and then complete two contrasting enquiries in the field. The final part of the course is the Issue Evaluation which will take place closer to the examinations and involves critically analysis of a geographical problem based on current issues. There will be time allocated to in-class revision, but a clear revision schedule will be implemented earlier in the year and run up to and including the exam period.
Study Cycle 1 - Geographical Fieldwork
Overview: During this topic, you will learn how fieldwork is an essential component of geography and enables you to understand the complex nature of the subject. Geography is studied in the field through an enquiry process, you will learn this process and how to apply to various Physical and Human locations. You will develop the skills to successfully complete two fieldwork enquiries, one in Dorchester and the other on the Swanage coastline. You will collect data in the field and then critically analyse your findings, as well as the process. You will then use your findings to answer the enquiry questions and evaluate your fieldwork. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive Whole Class Feedback on unfamiliar fieldwork questions. You will receive Whole Class Feedback on your Swanage or Dorchester fieldwork enquiries. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 2 - The Changing Economic World - Part 1
Overview: You will first learn and identify the world’s major resources (Food, Water and Energy) and why they are significant- you will also be able to describe the unequal distribution of these key resources. You will then study food and water resources in turn, learning about the issues that their distribution and use create within the UK. For food this will include areas such as food miles, agribusiness and organic produce. For water, you will learn about how it is used and the issues created by water surplus or deficit. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive Whole Class Feedback on your food resources question. You will receive Whole Class Feedback on your water resources question. Your summative assessment this cycle is your first Year 11 mock exam. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 3 - The Changing Economic World - Part 2
Overview: This is the second part of The Challenge of Resource Management topic. You will already have looked at the distribution and importance of food, water and energy resources; and this second part of the topic will focus on energy resources in more depth. It will focus on how global energy supply and demand vary and affect a country’s energy security, the issues with non-renewable fossil fuels and how energy supplies can be made more sustainable in the future. The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: You will receive Whole Class Feedback on your sustainable energy resources question. You will undertake a Summative Assessment at the end of this study cycle. This will provide you with a formal grade. The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 4 - Issue Evaluation
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
Study Cycle 5 - Revision for Units 1 and 2
Overview: The Study Cycle Overview sheet is available in all student books and to view here.
Assessment Opportunities: The Study Cycle Summative Assessment sheet will be available to view here soon.
