Geography
Aston's Geography department seeks to stimulate an interest in, and a sense of wonder at, the world around us. The curriculum aims to be rich and varied, developing a deeper knowledge and understanding of planet earth and the people who live here, whilst building on pupils’ own experiences to investigate places at all scales, from the personal to the global.
We aim to inspire the bright minds of our students to consider the impact they are having on the world today whilst developing empathy for all, especially those whose lives look completely different to our own. The subject also has a vision to develop students who can learn to think spatially and use maps to analyse information. The department also seeks to provide opportunities for students to experience the world around them, from the local scale to the international. The vision is for students to leave Aston as young adults prepared to take an active role in the ever-changing world.
Teaching staff:
- Miss R Walsh, Head of Department
- Miss R Pierce, Deputy Head
- Dr L Clitherow
- Miss K McMahon
Edicational visits:
Getting out and experiencing the world is an essential part of Geography. We aim to offer a range of opportunities including visits to the Lickey Hills in Y7, Carding Mill Valley, and Birmingham city centre. Opportunities are also offered for visits further afield, including to Wales and Italy.
Year 7
Summary of curriculum: |
In year 7, students are introduced to geography by completing a unit on map skills, to embed key skills before being introduced to the geography of the UK on a local and national scale. Physical geography is taught through a unit on coasts and the weather. Human geography is taught through a country study on Kenya, opening up students' perspectives to the wider world. |
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Main topics: |
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Assessment throughout the year: |
During year 7 boys are assessed in a range of different ways from extended homework projects to knowledge and understanding tests completed in lessons. |
How parents can support their son’s learning: |
Key to success in geography is developing a wider understanding of the world in which we live. Boys should try to engage with this in their own time by watching and reading the news. Conversations about world events would be of great benefit to boys in the key stage. |
Able and inspired opportunities: |
Our A&I students are offered a range of opportunities, from additional reading and tasks within lessons, special research projects and extra-curricular visits. We also aim to inspire the most able students with talks from academic geographers at local universities in order to develop deeper thinking. The department also runs a collaboration event between the different schools of the Foundation to bring inspired KS3 students together to undertake further research in key geographical issues. |
Useful websites: |
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Year 8
Summary of curriculum: |
In year 8 we aim to continue to make sense of our complex and dynamically changing world. We aim to encourage questioning, investigation and critical thinking through geographical enquiry. Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and responsibilities to other people, the environment and to the sustainability of the planet. There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of Geography. In year 8 we focus upon the concepts of place, space and scale and human processes, environmental interaction and sustainable development. We achieve this through the process of geographical enquiry, fieldwork investigations, graphicacy and visual literacy, and through developing communication. |
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Main topics: |
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Assessment throughout the year: |
During Year 8 boys are assessed in a range of different ways from extended homework projects to knowledge and understanding tests completed in lessons. |
How parents can support their son’s learning: |
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Able and inspired opportunities: | Our A&I students are offered a range of opportunities, from additional reading and tasks within lessons, special research projects and extra-curricular visits. We also aim to inspire the most able students with talks from academic geographers at local universities in order to develop deeper thinking. The department also runs a collaboration event between the different schools of the Foundation to bring inspired KS3 students together to undertake further research in key geographical issues. |
Useful websites: |
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Year 9
Summary of curriculum: |
In year 9 students continue to develop their thoughts and understanding of our complex and dynamically changing world. Particular focus is paid to geographical questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives now in the future. There are a number of key concepts that underpin the study of Geography. In year 9, particular attention is paid to interdependence, environment interaction and sustainable development, space, place and cultural understanding and diversity. |
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Main topics: |
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Assessment throughout the year: |
End of unit tests in the following units: cold environments, environmental issues decision making, and urban futures. |
How parents can support their son’s learning: |
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Able and inspired opportunities: | Our A&I students are offered a range of opportunities, from additional reading and tasks within lessons, special research projects and extra-curricular visits. We also aim to inspire the most able students with talks from academic geographers at local universities in order to develop deeper thinking. The department also runs a collaboration event between the different schools of the Foundation to bring inspired KS3 students together to undertake further research in key geographical issues. |
Useful websites: |
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Year 10
Summary of curriculum: | The GCSE specification followed is OCR specification B – Geography for enquiring minds. Geography enables students to focus on contemporary issues. Through investigation and discussion students have the opportunity to gain a greater awareness of moral and cultural concerns and to clarify their own values and attitudes. |
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Main topics: |
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Assessment throughout the year: |
Boys are assessed at the end of every unit during the GCSE course, with further smaller assessments taking place throughout the course. |
How parents can support their son’s learning: |
Key to success in Geography is developing a wider understanding of the world in which we live. Boys should try to engage with this in their own time by watching and reading the news. Conversations about world events would be of great benefit to boys in this key stage. |
Able and inspired opportunities: |
Our A&I students are offered a range of opportunities, from additional reading and tasks within lessons, special research projects and extra-curricular visits. We also aim to inspire the most able students with talks from academic geographers at local universities in order to develop deeper thinking. |
Useful websites: |
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Year 11
Summary of curriculum: | Geography enables students to focus on contemporary issues. Through investigation and discussion students have the opportunity to gain a greater awareness of moral and cultural concerns and to clarify their own values and attitudes. The specification followed is OCR specification B – Geography for enquiring minds. |
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Main topics: |
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Assessment throughout the year: |
Externally, the course is assessed via these three components:
Internally, boys are assessed at the end of every unit at GCSE with further, smaller assessments taking place throughout the course. |
How parents can support their son’s learning: |
Key to success in Geography is developing a wider understanding of the world in which we live. Boys should try to engage with this in their own time by watching and reading the news. Conversations around such world events would be of great benefit to boys in this key stage. |
Able and inspired opportunities: |
Our A&I students are offered a range of opportunities, from additional reading and tasks within lessons, special research projects and extra-curricular visits. We also aim to inspire the most able students with talks from academic geographers at local universities in order to develop deeper thinking. |
Useful websites: |
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Year 12
Summary of curriculum: |
Further study of geography at A Level provides the opportunity to study contemporary events and issues which students will be able to relate to the every day world in which they live. Examples would include concern for the environment and an appreciation of global changes and inequalities. The staff aim to foster a love of the subject for its own sake and also work hard to ensure that all students achieve the highest grade for which they have the potential. Many students go on to study some aspect of Geography at university. The subject is delivered through the separate strands of physical, human and environmental geography. Synoptic assessment encourages students to have an overview of geography by drawing on these different aspects of the subject. Investigative work, based on evidence from primary source, including fieldwork, and secondary sources will give the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical skills and techniques including data collection, analysis and enquiry. The specification followed is AQA's: see https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037/introduction |
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Main topics: |
Physical geography
Human geography
Geography fieldwork investigation Students complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student relating to any part of the specification content. |
Assessment throughout the year: |
Students are frequently assessed at A Level predominantly through the use of past questions, whether it be ones completed at home, in class or in examination conditions. |
How parents can support their son’s learning: |
Key to success in geography is developing a wider understanding of the world in which we live. Boys should try to engage with this in their own time by watching and reading the news. Conversations about world events would be of great benefit to boys in this key stage. Subscriptions to relevant magazines also proves to be beneficial. |
Able and inspired opportunities: |
Our A&I students are offered a range of opportunities, from additional reading and tasks within lessons, special research projects and extra-curricular visits. We also aim to inspire the most able students with talks from academic geographers at local universities in order to develop deeper thinking. |
Useful websites: |
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Year 13
Summary of curriculum: |
Further study of Geography provides the opportunity to study contemporary events and issues which students will be able to relate to the every day world in which they live. Examples would include concern for the environment and an appreciation of global changes and inequalities. The Geography Department aims to foster a love of the subject for its own sake and also works hard to ensure that all students achieve the highest grade for which they have the potential. Many students go on to study some aspect of Geography at University. The subject is delivered through the separate strands of physical, human and environmental Geography. Synoptic assessment encourages students to have an overview of Geography by drawing on these different aspects of the subject. Investigative work, based on evidence from primary source, including fieldwork, and secondary sources will give the opportunity to develop a wide range of practical skills and techniques including data collection, analysis and enquiry. |
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Main topics: |
Physical geography
Human geography
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Assessment throughout the year: |
Students are frequently assessed at A Level predominantly using past questions, whether it be ones completed at home, in class or in examination conditions. External assessment takes the form of two exams of two hours and thirty minutes each, as well as a piece of coursework of length 3000 to 4000 words. |
How parents can support their son’s learning: |
Key to success in Geography is developing a wider understanding of the world in which we live. Boys should try to engage with this in their own time by watching and reading the news. Conversations around such world events would be of great benefit to boys in this key stage. Subscriptions to relevant magazines also proves to be beneficial. |
Able and inspired opportunities: |
Our A&I students are offered a range of opportunities, from additional reading and tasks within lessons, special research projects and extra-curricular visits. We also aim to inspire the most able students with talks from academic geographers at local universities in order to develop deeper thinking. |
Useful websites: |
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