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KS3: MYP Geography

Intent

Through the MYP Geography course students will focus on independently and collaboratively investigating, taking action and reflecting on their learning through the study of a range of global and local issues. The aim is to enhance their abilities to form opinions, make decisions and judgements, and illustrate an understanding of the variety of human and physical elements of geography.

Curriculum Journey

Students will progress through a variety of skills to understand and appreciate the world around them. This will empower them to compare and reflect on a variety of social, environmental and economic issues around the world. The learning journey will allow the students to appreciate the variety of global cultures and how they help construct different approaches, problems, responsibilities  and solutions.. This will lead directly to the GCSE course, Edexcel Geography B where many of the skills become invaluable.

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: UK and Local (Criteria A)
  • Module 2: Around the World (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 3: Weather and Climate (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 4: Population and Migration (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 5: Desert and Drought (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 6: Polar and Taiga Forest (Criteria B and C)

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Tectonics (Criteria D)
  • Module 2: Resource Pressures (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 3: Biomes and Rainforest (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 4: Urbanisation (Criteria B and D)
  • Module 5: UK Rivers and Geology (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 6: Global and UK Tourism (Criteria B and C)

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Tropical Storms and Extreme Weather (Criteria D)
  • Module 2: Urban and Rural UK Living Spaces (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 3: Climate Change (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 4: Global Development (Criteria A and D)
  • Module 5: Place and City Study: India and Mumbai (Criteria B and C)
  • Module 6: UK Coast (Criteria A)

Assessment

Each module in the table above is assessed based on the following criterion in the table below. Each criteria is graded from 1-8 (8 demonstrating that the criteria has been fully met) with this being determined by teacher judgments about students’ work.

Criteria

How this is assessed

A – Knowledge and Understanding

Pupils are assessed on knowledge and understanding of key features of human and physical Geography. Pupils need to know key vocabulary, to describe, explain and give examples.

B – Investigating

Pupils harness the power of technology and research in detail. Pupils explore how to collect, record and reflect on  relevant information.

C – Communication

Pupils communicate ideas and information in an effective manner. This could be through discussion, questioning, presentations and collaboration.

D – Thinking Critically

Pupils are able to identify different views and interpret data to inform arguments.

Final grades are then awarded from a range of 1-8, with each ascending grade demonstrating the students mastery of that particular subject.

Resources

Pupils will be assessed on their progress at the end of each module/unit of work. Pupils will record all assessments in a Record of Progress folder. 

KS4: GCSE Geography

Intent

Our curriculum allows students to draw together knowledge, skills and understanding from a variety of literary genres spanning various historical, social and cultural contexts.

Curriculum Journey

As noted by the Leigh Academies Trust curriculum adviser, Geography is about change. The curriculum  allows students to draw together knowledge, skills and understanding from a variety of case studies to appreciate how human and physical geography can interact for both positive and negative outcomes. The impact of globalisation on development, urbanisation on the demand for resources and the ever present challenge faced by global ecosystems from climate change. Solutions are not always easy and an appreciation of the growing number of stakeholders is critical to a balanced approach. Students are asked to analyse and debate the solutions with a large part of the final assessments offering opportunities for evaluation and debate.

Careers

Pupils studying English Language will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Cartographer.
  • Climate Change Analyst.
  • Climatologist.
  • Emergency Management Specialist.
  • Geomorphologist
  • Geospatial analyst
  • GIS specialist
  • Hydrologist

Assessment

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

Mock papers and end of module tests. Also past paper questions and quizzes.

Pupils are completing the Edexcel B Geography GCSE. The whole GCSE is assessed through examination.

Paper 1: Global and Geographical Issues (37.5%)

  • Topic 1: Hazardous Earth
  • Topic 2: Development Dynamics
  • Topic 3: Challenges of an Urbanising World

Paper 2: UK Geographical Issues (37.5%)

  • Topic 4: UK’s evolving Physical Landscape
  • Topic 5: UK’s evolving Human Landscape
  • Topic 6: Geographical Investigations

Paper 3: People and Environment Issues (25%)

  • Topic 7: People and the Biosphere
  • Topic 8: Forests Under Threat
  • Topic 9: Consuming Energy Resources

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: UK Rivers and geology
  • Module 2: Coasts
  • Module 3: UK Living Spaces
  • Module 4: Development
  • Module 5: Climate Change
  • Module 6: Urbanisation

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Tectonics
  • Module 2: India and Mumbai
  • Module 3: Fieldwork Coasts
  • Module 4: Energy and Resources
  • Module 5: Exams and revision

KS5: IB Geography

Intent

Geography will inspire, enthuse and motivate students, and lead them onto a successful professional life, with an understanding of location through inquiry of the diverse world in which they live.

  • Students’ geographical knowledge, understanding and skills should bring benefit and enrichment to their everyday life as well as in their professional life beyond school.
  • Give students a thirst for knowledge to explore their surroundings and the wider world.
  • Students will learn to live their lives more sustainably by studying up-to-date examples and topics. Developing a love of the planet to safeguard for future generations.
  • Students will have an awareness of contemporary Geographical issues including studies of hazards and their global management including the recent COVID epidemic
  • Students will utilise IT and access Geographical Information Systems to generate independent investigations 
  • Students will appreciate from their studies in geography the diverse and multicultural world in which we live and be accepting of all views and values. 
  • Students will develop cross-curricular learning skills that will enable students to progress and succeed in other subject disciplines in school and beyond.
  • Students will achieve the best possible outcomes that will secure them progression into further education and employment. 
  • Our curriculum will reflect the MYP/LAT values, looking at topics like fair trade, sustainability and links with our community around resource management and recycling. Using collaborative learning structures to reinforce student and staff relationships as well as a positive learning environment. 

Curriculum Journey

The integration of knowledge and understanding with appropriate geographical skills in this qualification enables young people to become globally and environmentally informed and thoughtful, enquiring citizens.  Students study IB Diploma Programme Higher Level Course.  The course integrates physical, environmental and human geography, and students acquire elements of both socio-economic and scientific methodologies and uses both the knowledge and skills gained at both KS3 and KS4.  Students are presented with a common core and optional geographic themes. HL students also study the HL core extension. Although the skills and activity of studying geography are common to all students,

Careers

Pupils studying English Language will be well placed to pursue a career pathway in:

  • Cartographer.
  • Climate Change Analyst.
  • Climatologist.
  • Emergency Management Specialist.
  • Geomorphologist
  • Geospatial analyst
  • GIS specialist
  • Hydrologist

Assessment

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

Coursework/mocks for year 12. Past papers. Course work year 13

Examinations

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Freshwater and oceans, coastal management
  • Module 2: Extreme environments and geophysical environments
  • Module 3: Leisure/ sport and Food and health
  • Module 4: Urban environments
  • Module 5: Course work start
  • Module 6: Coursework and field trips

Schedule of learning

  • Module 1: Power places and networks
  • Module 2: Human development and diversity
  • Module 3: Global risks and resilience
  • Module 4: Revision
  • Module 5: Exams and revision