Geography

Year 7

The key theme in Year 7 is Ordnance survey map reading. All aspects are covered, which include 4 and 6 figure grid-references, 16 point compass, map symbols, scale, height and cross sections. All pupils are issued with their own Ordnance Survey Explorer map 119, which includes Portsmouth, Gosport and Fareham.

In the Summer Term the Settlement module allows the opportunity for local area fieldwork particularly investigating and mapping land use in Portsmouth Road, Southsea’s Central Business District.

Year 8

Pupils study weathering and erosion, aspects of rivers and coastlines, environmental concerns, renewable and non-renewable energy, types of industry, and population.

In the Summer Term all Year 8 pupils go on a Fieldtrip to the River Darkwater. They investigate changes in the shape and nature of the river channel from source to mouth.

Year 8 geog

Year 9

Pupils study aspects of world development using Japan and Italy as case studies. Natural hazards, earthquakes and volcanoes are studied.

In the Summer Term Year 9 pupils who have opted to study Geography for GCSE involve themselves in local area fieldwork in Southsea to prepare for the ‘Changing urban environments’ controlled assessment.

Years 10 and 11 (GCSE)

We follow AQA syllabus A. Topics studied include:

  • The restless earth
  • Water on the land
  • The coastal zone
  • Population change
  • Changing urban environments
  • The development gap
  • Globalisation
  • Tourism

The controlled assessment accounts for 25% of the total GCSE mark and follows the theme of ‘Changing urban environments’. All pupils involve themselves in fieldwork in the New Forest in order to practise skills which can then be used in their own item of work.

Year 11 Geog

AS and A2

We follow the AQA Syllabus. AS topics include:

  • Rivers, floods and management
  • Coastal environments
  • Population change
  • Energy issues

In Year 12 students are involved in two days of fieldwork: an urban study of the town of Lymington and a physical study of the River Lymington, in the New Forest. This helps to fully prepare them for their Unit 2 Geographical Skills examination.

A2 Topics include:

  • Plate tectonics and associated hazards
  • Weather and climate and associated hazards
  • World cities
  • Development and globalisation

Students also sit the Unit 4B Geographical Exam in the June of their final year. This examination is based upon an Advance Information Booklet, which is released two months before the written paper.