Geography

Geography is taught at Highgate Wood School through Year 7, 8 and 9, with many students then choosing it as an option for GCSE study.

To study geography is to study the world around us.  We aim at Highgate Wood to foster curiosity about this beautiful, complex and increasingly fragile planet.

At its heart, geography is a study of place; how physical and human processes shape different identities.  We aim to study a wide variety of places, building knowledge of all seven continents. We want our students to think like geographers – to be able to apply their knowledge of geographical process on a range of places. We want to challenge student misconceptions about the world by ensuring that students experience diverse representations of places. A detailed knowledge of the UK is taught in Year 7 and returned to throughout.  Fieldwork is used to enhance students’ understanding of both our local area and further afield.

In physical geography students will secure a detailed knowledge of tectonics, landscape, ecosystems and the atmosphere.  Understanding the dynamic nature of the Earth is vital and how humans are currently accelerating natural changes.  Human management of the environment becomes increasingly important as students’ progress in their geographical journey, notably through the concept of sustainable development and the impact of decisions on different scales – from international agreements to small scale actions.

For human geography the concept of development underpins students’ understanding of their place in the world.  Studies of globalisation, trade, population and migration cement knowledge of the human landscape.  The latter of these is specifically important for our cohort as they have wide range of diverse backgrounds. Students acquire knowledge built through real world information such as graphs, maps, data and statistics ensuring they build resilience to independently explain patterns and trends, formulate arguments, and be evaluative when looking at geographical material.

Through gaining an understanding of global justice and inequalities that exist in our world, we hope that our students develop compassion for our planet and its inhabitants.  We aim to promote agency amongst our students through teaching them the ways in which their decisions as active citizens of the world can shape the future of our planet.

Covering the National Curriculum through a series of projects students develop a firm understanding of geographical concepts and issues and begin to master many of the skills the study of Geography demands. At both Key Stage 3 and 4 the department organises field trips that brings to live many of the concepts the students have studied, and also develops their enthusiasm for the subject.

Paper 1 Global Geographical Issues – 37.5%

A combination of structured and longer answers to assess three topics. These are:

  • Hazardous Earth – Atmosphere and Climate, Tectonics.
  • Development Dynamics – Inequalities studying the developing world.
  • Challenges of an Urbanising World – A detailed study of mega cities.

Paper 2 UK Geographical Issues – 37.5%

Questions with a skills focus on the UK’s evolving physical and human landscape. This paper will also assess geographical enquiry through two fieldwork trips carried out in contrasting locations.

Paper 3 People and the Environment – 25%

This paper will focus on geographical problem solving and decision making. This will be done through three topics:

  • People and the Biosphere.
  • Forests under Threat.
  • Energy Supply.

The GCSE syllabus has been chosen to provide students with a sound understanding of both physical and human geography with a focus on global issues. Students go on two field trips that will allow students to experience geographical investigations in real world situations.

Geography A level course overview

Geography is a popular choice at A level, with many of our students then deciding to take their studies even further and major in the subject at university. Geography is the study of our planet; the interaction of the natural and the human world. If you are interested in the great issues of the day from globalisation to migration to climate then you will enjoy this course. The course is varied and wide ranging – taking students through studies of environmental science, sociology, politics, geology, economics and much more.

Geography A Level will involve at least two field trips, usually residential, to allow students to apply their theoretical understanding to real-life situations. Students will also devise, run and complete a research project of their choice.

Students take three externally sat exams and one non-examination assessment component.

Paper one:

Subject content:

  • Tectonic Processes and Hazards
  • Landscape Systems, Processes and Change – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 2A: Glaciated Landscapes and Change or 2B: Coastal Landscapes and Change
  • The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
  • The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

Paper two

Subject content:

  • Globalisation
  • Shaping Places – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 4A Regenerating Places or 4B Diverse Places
  • Superpowers
  • Global Development and Connections – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 8A Health, Human Rights and Intervention or 8B Migration, Identity and Sovereignty

Paper three

Subject content:

The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas:

  • Players
  • Attitudes and actions
  • Futures and uncertainties
Key Stage 3

Covering the National Curriculum through a series of projects students develop a firm understanding of geographical concepts and issues and begin to master many of the skills the study of Geography demands. At both Key Stage 3 and 4 the department organises field trips that brings to live many of the concepts the students have studied, and also develops their enthusiasm for the subject.

Key Stage 4

Paper 1 Global Geographical Issues – 37.5%

A combination of structured and longer answers to assess three topics. These are:

  • Hazardous Earth – Atmosphere and Climate, Tectonics.
  • Development Dynamics – Inequalities studying the developing world.
  • Challenges of an Urbanising World – A detailed study of mega cities.

Paper 2 UK Geographical Issues – 37.5%

Questions with a skills focus on the UK’s evolving physical and human landscape. This paper will also assess geographical enquiry through two fieldwork trips carried out in contrasting locations.

Paper 3 People and the Environment – 25%

This paper will focus on geographical problem solving and decision making. This will be done through three topics:

  • People and the Biosphere.
  • Forests under Threat.
  • Energy Supply.

The GCSE syllabus has been chosen to provide students with a sound understanding of both physical and human geography with a focus on global issues. Students go on two field trips that will allow students to experience geographical investigations in real world situations.

Key Stage 5

Geography A level course overview

Geography is a popular choice at A level, with many of our students then deciding to take their studies even further and major in the subject at university. Geography is the study of our planet; the interaction of the natural and the human world. If you are interested in the great issues of the day from globalisation to migration to climate then you will enjoy this course. The course is varied and wide ranging – taking students through studies of environmental science, sociology, politics, geology, economics and much more.

Geography A Level will involve at least two field trips, usually residential, to allow students to apply their theoretical understanding to real-life situations. Students will also devise, run and complete a research project of their choice.

Students take three externally sat exams and one non-examination assessment component.

Paper one:

Subject content:

  • Tectonic Processes and Hazards
  • Landscape Systems, Processes and Change – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 2A: Glaciated Landscapes and Change or 2B: Coastal Landscapes and Change
  • The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
  • The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

Paper two

Subject content:

  • Globalisation
  • Shaping Places – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 4A Regenerating Places or 4B Diverse Places
  • Superpowers
  • Global Development and Connections – including optional sub-topics from which students choose one from two: 8A Health, Human Rights and Intervention or 8B Migration, Identity and Sovereignty

Paper three

Subject content:

The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas:

  • Players
  • Attitudes and actions
  • Futures and uncertainties

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