Download the Curriculum Statement here
Academic year 2022-23
What are we studying?
YEAR 7
TERM 1
Year 7 will begin by looking at different map skills such as how to measure height on a map, how to accurately read a compass and acquiring skills to read both four and six figure grid references.
TERM 2
Year 7 will continue their journey through our world by looking at different Ecosystems and Biomes. The pupils will learn the different flora and fauna is contrasting areas of our planet such as the polar regions and tropical rainforests. Pupils will also assess how different species are adapted to living in such environments.
TERM 3
Year 7 will then study an area much closer to home and learn about rivers and flooding, how this phenomenon occurs and how we can successfully prevent the effects of flooding. The pupils will also study flooding on the River Cherwell in and around Banbury and decide how we can manage this in the future.
TERM 4
Year 7 then look at how the urban environment is made up and the differences between urban areas in the UK compared to other countries. The pupils will also investigate congestion and urban planning with Oxfordshire.
TERM 5
The final two terms will enable the pupils to investigate the impact climate change is having on our planet, both on a local scale, as well as globally.
TERM 6
Pupils will complete a project in the final term on improving the sustainability of the school and evaluate how environmentally friendly Wykham Park Academy is and how the school community can be more sustainable in the future.
YEAR 8
TERM 1
Year 8 begins with looking at Tourism within the continent of Europe. The pupils will understand why tourism occurs, how it changes a place (both positive and negative) as well as looking at specific examples within Europe such as Disneyland Paris, the Mediterranean and Chernobyl.
TERM 2
In the second term the pupils will learn about tectonic hazards – Volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and Tsunamis. Using case study examples the pupils will assess how best to respond to a natural disaster and how to prevent such a disaster in the future.
TERM 3
In the third term, students will continue with the theme of disasters and will turn their attention to climatic hazards such as Hurricanes, Cyclones and Typhoons. Pupils will again assess how best to respond to a disaster, learn about the formation of these tropical storms, as well as how climate change is affecting their frequency.
TERM 4
This term will be devoted to pupils to pupils learning about Fairtrade. The pupils will in particular assess the chocolate trade and how Fairtrade is improving the lives of those people working within this trade, as well as disadvantages multinational corporations play in this industry.
TERM 5
In this term, we look at the coastal environments within the UK. Pupils will learn about the formation of erosional and depositional landforms, as well as how humans utilise this area of our landscape.
TERM 6
In term 6 pupils will assess different issues and debates in Geography, formulating opinions and justifying these viewpoints.
YEAR 9
TERM 1
Pupils will begin Year 9 looking at the world and the differences found within each continent; different land masses, different biomes, different cultures, different landscapes. Pupils learning will alternate between the physical and human geography of each continent, allowing all pupils to gain a greater insight into both the nature of a continent, as well as the population structure, culture and history of these areas.
TERM 2
Year 9 then look at Asia, with China being a case study. The pupils will assess and evaluate the success and failure of China’s one child policy, as well as investigating other population management schemes in place within the continent.
TERM 3
This term begins to look into India moving forward as a newly emerging economy and investigates the rise in informal housing (slums) within the city of Mumbai.
TERM 4
This term is where students examine Russia and the variety of ecosystems within this vast country. Pupils will also look into fossil fuels and Russia’s part they play within the global market.
TERM 5
In this term the pupils will spend time studying Brazil – assessing how cities such as Curitiba are sustainable and evaluating the impacts of deforestation in the Amazon Rainforest.
TERM 6
This term looks at globalisation and how we are making further connections with other countries. The pupils will look at multinational corporations and assess the impacts these industries can have both on a local and a global scale.
YEAR 10 and 11
Pupils will begin their GCSE course studying the three physical geography modules of the AQA specification;
The challenge of natural hazards –
In this module, pupils will learn about tectonic and climatic hazards and how to mitigate the impacts of such hazards. Pupils will also learn how climate change is affecting our planet and effectively being managed.
The living world –
In this module pupils will study three contrasting biomes around the globe; tropical rainforests, polar regions, and desert environments.
Physical landscapes in the UK –
In this module, pupils will learn about contrasting landscapes such as coasts, rivers and glaciers. Pupils will also assess case studies on both a local and national scale.
Pupils will then begin studying the three human geography modules within the specifications;
Urban issues and challenges –
In this module, pupils will learn about the complex structure of urban environments, assess urban areas within the UK as well as evaluating methods used to improve the sustainability of urban settings.
The changing economic world –
In this module, pupils will be assessing the changes occurs in our world regarding development such as “why are some countries richer than others” and “what impact does migration have on the UK?”. Pupils will also study Nigeria as a case study.
The Challenge of resource management –
In this module, the pupils will understand the fragility of different resource on our planet such as fossil fuels, food and clean drinking water. Pupils will also study conflicts that have arisen due to this scarcity of resources and the impacts this can have on geo-political situations.
OTHER INFORMATION
In addition to the six modules within the GCSE specification for Geography, the pupils will also complete two compulsory fieldwork activities which they will require for one of their examinations.
WEBSITES
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zkw76sg
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse
https://www.senecalearning.com/blog/gcse-geography-revision/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science_and_environment
CONTACT DETAILS
Lead Practitioner of Geography: Mr David Chilton
dchilton@wykhampark-aspirations.org