Geography
Intent:
The highly skilled geography teachers at Sandhurst School foster a deep fascination with our planet and its diverse inhabitants. We develop students into informed global citizens who have a strong understanding of physical and human processes, a respect for different cultures, and a sense of responsibility for preserving the world around them. Students will have developed some knowledge and understanding of the world they live in at Key Stage Two and it is our responsibility to instil the knowledge and skills that will remain with them in the future. The skills they will develop in the subject will enable them to be global citizens with the ability to debate, justify and evaluate; therefore ‘thinking like a geographer’. Our curriculum stimulates curiosity and wonder of their world and prepares our students well for future learning or employment. We believe that the students deserve a broad, progressive and ambitious Geography curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge, enabling them to make connections and have an empathy for the issues and challenges facing natural and human environments.
Further information
Our Curriculum:
Our geography curriculum is designed to foster a love for the subject and inspire the students about the physical and human environments around them, and to develop inquisitive minds amongst all students. Our curriculum allows students the ability to develop an understanding of physical and human environments and the processes that result in the diverse characteristics of places and people. We also build in lessons and aspects of lessons that develop skills of interpreting, analysing and evaluating geographical information so that students feel confident to make judgments and justify their ideas. Throughout Key Stage Three we introduce and develop the student’s cartographic, graphical, numerical and statistical skills that are inserted into the curriculum at strategic points. Our curriculum is broad and balanced and the sequence of topics demonstrate a clear narrative of learning that stimulate interest and provide challenge. We also have the ability to pause the geography curriculum to focus on world events should they be of interest and importance. Throughout the Key Stage a range of career opportunities are discussed that help to reinforce the relevance of the subject and the transferable skills that we develop.
Implementation: Teaching and planning
We pride ourselves as a geography department, and as geography teachers in the quality of teaching and learning that exists. We regularly use modelling of work to demonstrate good practice as well as raising standards and expectations. Our marking and targeted feedback informs planning and addresses misconceptions, particularly following mid term assessed tasks and formal termly assessments, but also throughout lessons with skillful questioning, starter activities and plenaries. Assessments are manageable and realistic, and are designed to build the skills that are required for the GCSE geography course, as well as informing timely intervention and responsive teaching. Throughout Kew Stage Three we have a regular focus on reading and oracy skills through class based teaching and learning activities.
Assessment:
Assessment in the geography department takes place in a variety of ways and is designed to have an impact on student outcomes. Assessment is conducted so that staff can gather a sound understanding of the needs of all students in their care. Our formative assessment takes place in every lesson. This is done through effective questioning of students, verbal interactions with our students and the use of silent starters that build on prior learning. Self assessed work and peer assessed work is also used to ensure that teaching and learning is responsive.
Summative assessment throughout key stage three enables students to build the required skills that will be necessary for exam success at key stage four. The style of the assessments include skills based geography, knowledge recall, interpretation and extended writing. More complex and demanding command words are brought in throughout key stage three which ensures that the students are ready to progress into key stage four geography effectively.
Feedback is a key part of the assessment process in the department, so that the students can chart their progress and become resilient and responsive learners.
Impact:
The geography curriculum at Sandhurst School is designed to give all students the confidence and experience to help inform and shape their ideas. We aim for our students to become global citizens and have cultural literacy to become role models for the future, considering such issues as sustainability, development, climate change, inequality and diversity in their everyday lives.
Curriculum time allocation:
KS3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) - 4 hours per fortnight
KS4 (Years 10 and 11) - 5 hours per fortnight
Curriculum pathways:
Department Contact
Mrs N Lenk
nlenk@sandhurstschool.org.uk