Geography

Ethos & Values

We aim:

• To enhance children's quality of learning through the effective delivery of the Geography syllabus.
• To raise attainment by creating a target-orientated culture based on the enhancement of self-esteem.
• To have consistently high expectations and match these with high quality resources and learning strategies.
• To provide a range of educational experiences appropriate to the age, ability and needs of our students.
• To manage resources to ensure maximum benefit.

Knowledge & Skills

Knowledge and understanding of human behaviour, its consequences for other humans and the world they inhabit are important to all students in understanding the world in which we live.

Geography allows you to develop key world information and to develop a variety of skills. A successful Geographer will be able to:

• Understand what motivates people, what they think and feel.
• Gather and read different kinds of information.
• Read maps, graphs and other diagrams.
• Communicate clearly and learn to express yourself verbally and on paper.
• Communicate clearly and effectively, displaying a good standard of written English.
• Present arguments and consider viewpoints.
• Work safely in different locations whilst undertaking fieldwork.
• Use specialised fieldwork equipment to gather information about the locations your visit.
• Develop the use of subject specialist equipment and ICT.

Resources & Facilities

At Louth Academy we have a dedicated and professional Geography teacher, who is passionate about teaching the subject.

We offer dedicated, well equipped and comfortable classrooms, with interactive facilities; we also offer a wide range of quality resources and subject specific software.

Courses & Qualifications

Key Stage 3

All students study Geography at Key Stage 3 in line with the National Curriculum.

At Key Stage 3 students investigate areas such as Where is Britain?, Settlement Changes, Crime, Coasts, Earthquakes and Volcanoes plus Brazil and its rainforest.

Key Stage 4

Current Year 11 GCSE Geographers are completing their two-year Edexcel B Specification in 2017-2018. They have already undertaken one of their two fieldwork days in the summer of Year 10, exploring the impact of coastal management at Spurn Point. They will undertake their urban fieldwork in Hull during Year 11. Both fieldwork elements will be assessed in the examinations taken in summer 2018.

At Key Stage 4 from 2017 onwards, students complete a full GCSE qualification in Geography, with examinations taking place at the end of Year 11; students are also required to take part in fieldwork. They will sit three examinations at the end of Year 11:

• Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment (35% of GCSE);
• Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment (35% of GCSE);
• Paper 3: Geographical Applications (30% of GCSE).

During the course, students will investigate themes such as Natural Hazards, Weather Hazards, Climate Change, Ecosystems, Physical Landscapes in the UK, Urban Issues and Challenges, and the Changing Economic World.

As part of their studies, students will be expected to complete two geographical enquiries, including the use of primary data collected as part of a fieldwork exercise. Thus, during the course of their GCSE studies, all students will take part in two fieldtrips to contrasting environments, enabling them to develop their knowledge of both physical and human geography and how they interact together.

Year 9 students: Students in Year 9 will be following the new GCSE syllabus from the AQA examination board which will be graded from 1-9. Students will study a variety of topics including:

• Physical Landscapes in the UK
• The Changing Economic World
• The Challenge of Natural Hazards
• The Challenge of Resource Management

Students studying this GCSE will also undertake fieldwork, practicing different methods of data collection for both Human and Physical Geography; these skills along with all additional content will be tested in examination papers at the end of Year 11.

Key Stage 5

Geography at A Level is a varied course that allows students to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of both human and physical geography. Topics currently covered include: Water and Carbon Cycles, Hazards, Global Systems and Global Governance, Changing Places and Contemporary Urban Environments. A Level students are also required to complete a 4000 word independent geographical investigation based on fieldwork completed as part of the course.

The new AQA A Level Geography course will be run as part of Louth Academy's Academic Sixth Form offer from September 2018.

Learning Outside The Classroom

At Key Stage 4, GCSE students undertake two fieldtrips to contrasting environments, enabling them to develop their knowledge and understanding of both physical and human geography. Examples of past fieldtrips include a visit to the Holderness Coast to investigate the impact of coastal management, and a visit to Hull to study urban regeneration in the St. Stephen's shopping area.

Where Does This Take Me In The Future?

The study of Geography lets you develop skills which could lead to many different career choices. Many people who have studied Geography have gone into the following fields:

Accountancy, Administration, Archaeology, Architecture, Barrister, Broadcasting, Civil Service, Diplomatic Service, Drama Theatre and the Performing Arts, Education, Environment and Conservation, Finance, Information Management, Media, Teaching, Public Relations, Journalist, Legal Executive, Police, Politics, Publishing, Sales and Marketing, Solicitor, Tourism, Town Planning, TV Researchers, Lawyers

Geography is highly regarded by many employers and universities due to the wide range of skills and knowledge that students acquire.