Geography
Geography at Cirencester Deer Park School promotes a sense of wonder and fascination through studying a range of relevant, human and physical, geographical processes and issues. The Geography curriculum develops an awareness of how the world is changing and allows pupils to understand the implications of these changes for themselves and others. By studying Geography, pupils will build an understanding about their place in the world.
Through a rich and relevant curriculum, geographers at Deer Park are encouraged to shape their own geographical journey through asking questions about our dynamic planet. Pupils are supported by their teachers to develop a greater sense of intellectual curiosity. Core knowledge is developed by studying a range of places, on a local, national and global scale, allowing pupils to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the world. The study of Geography equips pupils with a variety of transferable skills, such as; greater spatial awareness, literacy, communication, numeracy, enquiry, problem solving and computing.
Find out about each Key Stage in Geography:
KS3 Geography
Year 7
The journey in Key Stage 3 begins in Year 7 where pupils study Geography three times a fortnight. The first leg of the journey focuses on ‘Becoming a Geographer’. Pupils develop a sense of place and build up a set of key map work skills. They gain knowledge of geography in the UK and beyond, providing a strong basis to build on throughout Key Stage 3.
The next topic explores our ‘Dynamic Planet’ and focuses in on Volcanoes, Earthquakes and Tsunamis across the world. Pupils explore the processes behind these tectonic events and also the impacts and responses to these disasters. Pupils look at volcanoes and earthquakes in a range of locations, including developing and developed countries such as Italy, Japan, Tonga and Haiti.
Year 8
In Year 8 Geography is all about contrasts. During the first module pupils will find out more about ‘Brilliant Brazil’, investigating urban and rural landscapes, migration and contrasts within cities. An investigation into informal settlements in Brazil provides pupils with the opportunity to practice their enquiry and research skills and write an extended piece of writing.
Pupils then learn about our ‘Blue Planet’. This topic explores the journeys of the world’s major rivers before diving into the depths of the world’s major oceans. Pupils are given the opportunity to investigate a range of physical processes and ecosystems alongside the issues of increased human activity in river basins and on coastlines. The topic concludes by looking at sustainable management of our water supplies and how this can be achieved on local and global scales.
Year 9
In the final year of Key Stage 3 pupils ‘Go Global’ in Geography. In the first topic pupils begin by studying Development. This topic looks at a range of contemporary global issues, through the study the diverse continent of Africa.
The ‘Go Global’ theme continues with ‘Weather and climate’ and the implications of changing climates. The wild weather topic explores the climate of the UK including the impact of climate change in the future. It then continues with the causes and impact of events such as tornadoes and hurricanes on diverse locations such as the USA and the Philippines.
Year 9 pupils also have the opportunity to study ‘Global issues’ by looking at a range of geographical issues at various scales e.g. conflict and gangs in Honduras, globalisation and the role of Trans National Companies, migration and tourism. Pupils will be encouraged to consider the benefits and challenges of some of these issues and consider their long term sustainability.
KS4 Geography
At GCSE pupils have the opportunity to build on the skills and knowledge developed in KS3 whilst at the same time exploring new places and studying more complex issues. At GCSE we follow the OCR Geography B: Geography for enquiring minds course and pupils study Geography for 5 hours a fortnight. Through this GCSE students look at the geographical processes linked to both the physical and human world. Pupils explore these processes in a variety of countries including Bangladesh, India, Brazil, Cambodia, Japan and also a number of case studies based in the UK.
In terms of assessment the GCSE course is linear and divided into three distinct areas. 100% of the marks are gained through 3 exams - two are 75 minutes and one is 90 minutes. Fieldwork is still essential to this course and rather than being examined by a piece of Controlled Assessment the pupils answer fieldwork questions in the Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams. Pupils have the opportunity to carry out fieldwork in 2 contrasting locations; an urban environment – Bristol and a coastal environment – Dorset.
At Key Stage 4 pupils of Geography are also given the opportunity to take part in a week of residential fieldwork. We offer an annual residential trip to either Iceland, Naples or Sicily to investigate a range of Geographical features including tectonics.
Pupils should access the CDPS GCSE Geography site.
Year 10
In Year 10 we equip our Geographers with key data handling and analysis skills and cover 4 of the 8 topics on the GCSE specification. These topics are: Resource Reliance, Changing Climate, Urban Futures and Distinctive Landscapes. At the end of Year 10 all pupils complete a decision-making exercise which requires them to make links between topics and processes studied so far and prepares them to explain and justify their opinions in their Unit 3 exam.
Year 11
In Year 11 pupils continue to develop their key skills, and complete three full mock exams for Unit 1, Unit 2 and Unit 3 in Geography between November and December. We teach exam technique throughout the course and also provide targeted support with revision during this period. During Year 11 pupils cover the remaining 4 topics on the syllabus which are: UK in the 21st Century, Sustaining Ecosystems, Dynamic Development and Global Hazards. Time for revision of the content is also built in to the final stages of the course.
By studying Geography pupils are given the opportunity to consolidate prior knowledge and understanding through the study of diverse places, ranging from Bristol, London, India, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Costa Rica, Cambodia and Antarctica. Pupils will gain opportunities to experience ‘real geography’ by investigating current events in Geography in the News, via multimedia and through fieldwork. Pupils will also be able to experience fieldwork in at least two contrasting locations.
The rich curriculum has been carefully designed to provide all pupils with the opportunity to make progress, both within and across the Key Stages. Assessment within Geography is varied and provides pupils with the opportunity to develop key skills, reflect core knowledge and to be creative, innovative and independent learners.