Geography helps students make sense of the world around them by developing their enquiry skills - encouraging questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people's lives, now and in the future. This subject helps develop successful learners who can suggest solutions to local and global issues. We aim to inspire students to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and responsibilities to other people, to the environment and the sustainability of the planet.
Geography is the subject which helps us understand the past, present and future.
In Yr 7 Geography you will gain an insight into our coastal and river landscapes as well as also looking at the growth of the global tourism industry and finally focussing on the rise of China and the continent of Asia.
In Yr 8 Geography you will gain an insight into the natural physical features of our Planet as well as the impact that we are having on the Earth. You will also look into the future and discover how we can live more sustainably and ensure that we leave the Planet in a better state than we found it. Geography is the subject which helps us understand the past, present and future.
In Yr 9 Geography you will gain an insight into why the world is so unfair and millions of people live in poverty. You will also develop an understanding of what causes tectonic hazards and what effects they can have. Finally, we will look at global ecosystems and the characteristics of the desert and rainforest biomes.
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Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
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Autumn - 1 |
Our Place in Geography Knowledge: What are the different types of geography? How can we help to make our school more sustainable? Skills: Where are the continents and oceans in the world? |
A baseline test based on the course content |
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Autumn - 2 |
How do I read a map and plan a route? Skills: How can follow a route which includes, direction, map symbols, grid references and distance information. |
Mapwork test based on course content |
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Spring - 1 |
What is life like in the Freezer? Knowledge: Why are some places colder than others? What is climate change and how are we responsible? Skills: Where are the coldest places on earth? |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions |
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Spring - 2 |
What is life like in the Freezer continued |
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Summer - 1 |
Where are the British Isles? Knowledge: What are the distinctive physical and human characteristics of each of the countries which make up the British Isles? Skills: Which countries are in the British Isles |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions |
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Summer - 2 |
How can the weather affect us? Knowledge: What are the factors which affect our weather in the UK Skills: How can we read and record the weather? |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions |
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Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
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Autumn - 1 |
Why is the coast so varied? Knowledge: how both rock type and the waves influence to shape of the coastline? |
A mid-term exam based on the physical geography of the coasts. |
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Autumn - 2 |
Why is the coast so varied continued? Knowledge: How can we manage our coastline sustainably? |
A decision-making exercise based on how a stretch of coastline should be managed? |
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Spring - 1 |
Should we be allowed to go on holiday? Knowledge: What are the reasons behind the growth of global tourism? What are the advantages and disadvantages that tourism can bring? Skills: Drawing and interpreting graphs which depict the growth of tourism. |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions |
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Spring - 2 |
Why are rivers so important to us? Knowledge: How do the physical characteristics of a river change from source to mouth |
A mid-term exam based on the physical geography of the rivers |
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Summer - 1 |
Why are rivers so important to us continued? Knowledge: how can rivers be managed sustainably to reduce the risks of flooding |
A decision-making exercise based on how a river can be managed sustainably |
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Summer - 2 |
Is China the new superpower and the rise of Asia. Knowledge: What are the human and physical characteristics of Asia? Skills: To construct and interpret graphs on the changes in population of China |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions |
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Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
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Autumn - 1 |
Why is the world so unfair? Knowledge: how can we measure the level of development in a country? |
A mid-term exam based on the physical geography of the coasts. |
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Autumn - 2 |
Why is the world so unfair continued? Knowledge: How can aid be used to help low income countries develop? |
A decision-making exercise based on what type of aid project should be used to help rural area of Nigeria develop. |
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Spring - 1 |
Why is the Earth so restless? Knowledge: What are tectonic hazards and what causes them? Skills: Drawing and interpreting maps to describe and explain the pattern of earthquakes and volcanoes. |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions on both earthquakes and volcanoes |
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Spring - 2 |
Why is the Earth so restless continued? What are tsunamis and what causes them? Knowledge: How are tsunami’s formed and what are both the primary and secondary effects of a tsunami? |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions on tsunami’s |
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Summer - 1 |
Why are ecosystems so important to us? Knowledge: Where are the world’s major biomes? What are the characteristics of four different biomes? Skills drawing and interpreting maps to describe and explain the distribution of global biomes. |
Assessment based on course content and comprising of exam style questions on characteristics of different biomes |
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Summer - 2 |
Why are ecosystems so important to us continued? Knowledge: Comparing and contrasting the Desert and Rainforest ecosystems. |
A decision-making exercise based on what should happen to an area of rainforest. |
The homework will be set once every two weeks.
Opportunities will be based on the school site.
In Yr 7 we will be completing an audit of the school to gauge its level of sustainability. Also, we will complete a weather recording project to discover which is the coldest and warmest place on the school site.
In Yr 8 we will be recording the downstream changes of the River Mel.
In Yr 9 there will be opportunities to visit Thetford Forest to establish the similarities and differences of deciduous and coniferous forests.
The best way to support your child and develop their understanding of geography is to encourage them to watch the news and take a keen interest on what is going on in the world.
An enquiring mind and a willingness to ask relevant questions is vitally important in geography!
WJEC Eduqas GCSE Geography B aims to enable learners to think ‘like a geographer’. That is to say, learners will develop the skills necessary to develop their understanding of specialised geographical concepts and current geographical issues.
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Year |
Half term |
Topics studied; skills and knowledge |
How this will be assessed |
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10 |
Autumn - 1 |
Urbanisation and the growth of global cities |
Past paper end of unit test |
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Autumn - 2 |
How are urban and rural areas changing in the UK? What changes are occurring in retail in the UK? What issues are associated with leisure use in urban and rural areas in the UK? |
Past paper end of unit test
Past paper end of unit test
Past paper end of unit test |
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Spring - 1 |
What are the global patters of development and the advantages and disadvantages of different types of aid? What is globalisation? |
Past paper end of unit test
Past paper end of unit test |
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Spring - 2 |
What are different types of coastal environments and how are they managed? |
Past paper end of unit test |
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Summer - 1 |
How do rivers shape the landscape and how can they be managed to reduce the risk of flooding? |
Past paper end of unit test |
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Summer - 2 |
What is the difference between weather and climate and how can we best prepare for different weather hazards? What are the causes of climate change and how can we reduce the risks of it? |
Past paper end of unit test
Past paper end of unit test |
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11 |
Autumn - 1 |
What are ecosystems and how can they be managed sustainably? |
Past paper end of unit test |
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Autumn - 2 |
Why does the supply and demand for water vary over time and space? |
Past paper end of unit test |
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Spring - 1 |
What is desertification and how can it be best prevented? |
Past paper end of unit test |
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Spring - 2 |
What mathematical and statistical skills do we use in geography? |
Past paper end of unit test |
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Summer - 1 |
How do you conduct a geographical investigation? |
Fieldwork investigation write up |
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Summer - 2 |
Period of Formal Examinations |
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Homework is set once every few weeks and consists of the extension of class work to carry out independent research on topics studied in class.
Component 1: Investigating Geographical Issues Written Examination: 1 hour 45 minutes 40% of qualification
Component 2: Problem Solving Geography Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 30% of qualification
Component 3: Applied Fieldwork Enquiry Written Examination: 1 hour 30 minutes 30% of qualification
There are two compulsory trips. One will be based on investigating an issue related to human geography, whilst the other trip will focus on a physical geography issue. Both trips will be free and in the local area, but the students must attend.
In order to develop their understanding in geography it is essential that they take a keen interest in the world around them and what is happening in the news.
Geography is the perfect choice for students who want to leave their options open for the next steps after MVC. Geography compliments the widest array of other subjects and careers imaginable!
Melbourn Village College
The Moor, Melbourn
Royston SG8 6EF
Tel: 01763 223400
Email: office@melbournvc.org Absence: absence@melbournvc.org
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Melbourn Village College is an academy of The Cam Academy Trust, a company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales with company number 0749 1945.
The registered office is at Comberton Village College, West Street, Comberton, Cambridgeshire, CB23 7DU
