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Smithdon High School

Geography Department

Geography at Smithdon High School

How was this landscape formed, and how is it changing?

Why were these buildings constructed in this city?

Why are shops and businesses opening and closing?

In a landscape or a city, we are surrounded by Geography. The nation watched Blue Planet on BBC, which raised lots of issues and questions for the rest of the planet. Smithdon High School Geography department encourages students to ask these questions and more; to think about the future of the planet by being interested in Geography – not just because they study the subject. 

The staff delivering Geography are:-

Mr J. Yeoman - Head of Department

Mr S. Chapman - Assistant Head

Mr A. Duncan - Teacher of Geography

West Norfolk is a brilliant place to study Geography with the coastline set within a changing rural landscape and the urban landscape of Kings Lynn 15 miles away. The area is under threat from climate change and plastic pollution.

Geography is all around us, a knowledge and understanding of the processes shaping the world is essential for all to ensure a sustainable future for planet Earth.

The Geography curriculum

At Smithdon, students learn about key aspects of physical, human and environmental Geography at a variety of levels. The curriculum focuses on key geographical themes, including rivers, coasts, population and the economy, as well as developing a knowledge of places including the UK, Asia and Africa. Students develop and use a range of Geographical skills to include the use of maps, ICT, graphs and fieldwork.

Throughout their curriculum studies, students consider British Values, for example the role of democratically elected governments in determining the provision of coastal and river defences. Students are supported to develop moral and social values, providing them the skills and knowledge to make sensible, informed decisions about how their actions affect the future of the planet.

Key Stage 3 Geography

 

Topic 1

Topic 2

Topic 3

Topic 4

Year 7

Map skills
What are the major continents and oceans of the world?

How can you use OS map skills to describe landforms?

Geography of the UK
What is the UK like in terms of population, weather and landscapes?

What have been the costs and benefits of the UK leaving the European Union?

Weather
What factors explain the UK weather and climate?

What are the causes and consequences of climate change?

Asia
What is Asia like in terms of population, climate, biomes and landscapes?

Why has China’s economy grown so rapidly?

Year 8

Coasts and Rivers
How do physical processes and human activities affect coastal erosion at Happisburgh?

Why is York so susceptible to river flooding?

Population Change
What are the causes of changing populations around the world?

What challenges does Japan face with its ageing population?

Tectonics
What are the causes and consequences of tectonic activity?

Why do the impacts of tectonic activity vary between countries?

Ecosystems and the Economy
How and why has the economy of the UK changed in the last 100 years?

What are the causes and consequences of deforestation in Borneo?

Year 9

Glaciation
How do glacial processes create distinctive landscapes?

How do glaciated areas create economic and social opportunities? 

Superpowers
What factors make China an emerging world superpower?

Will the USA continue to be the prominent world superpower?

Africa
What is Africa like in terms of population, history, climate, biomes and landscapes?

What physical and human factors are responsible for desertification in the Sahel?

Fieldwork
What determines traffic flows along the main road outside Smithdon High School?

What is the best location for a new coffee shop in Hunstanton?


To view the KS3 Geography Learning Journey click here.

GCSE Geography 

The department follows the EDEXCEL Geography A specification which has three written exams:

  • Unit 1: Physical Environment (37.5% of final exam)

1hr 30 mins exam

  • Unit 2: Human Environment (37.5% of final exam)

1hr 30 mins exam

  • Unit 3: Geographical Investigations: Fieldwork and UK Challenges (25% of final exam)

1hr 30 mins exam.

For more detail on the topics and content included in each examined unit, please click here.

In summary:

Year 10 topics

Topic 1

Topic 2

Topic 3

Topic 4

Topic 5

Changing landscapes of the UK

Coastal processes and landscapes

River processes and landscapes or Glaciated upland landscapes and processes 

Weather hazards and climate change

Ecosystems, biodiversity and management

 

Year 11 topics

Topic 1

Topic 2

Topic 3

Topic 4

Changing cities

Global development

Resource management

UK Challenges


Fieldwork

GCSE students are required to complete two days of fieldwork which are examined within Unit 3. These are:

  • Investigating coastal landforms – fieldwork based on the North Norfolk Coast, carried out within the Autumn Term of Year 10.
  • Investigating urban environments – fieldwork based in the city of Norwich, carried out within the Summer Term of Year 10.

To view the GCSE Geography Learning Journey click here.

Geography Key Stage 3 Curriculum Topics 

 

Autumn Term
1

Autumn Term
2

Spring Term
 1

Spring Term
2

Summer Term 1

Summer Term 2 

Year
7

Map Skills

Geography of the UK

Geography of the UK and weather

Weather

Asia

Resources

Year
8

Coasts and Rivers

Coasts and Rivers

Population Change

Tectonics

Ecosystems and the Economy 

Russia

Year
9

Glaciation

Super Powers

Super Powers

Africa

Fieldwork

Living in a poor country and Global Themes

Geography Key Stage 4 Curriculum Topics 

 

Autumn
Term 1

Autumn
Term 2

Spring
Term 1

Spring
Term 2

Summer
Term 1

Summer
Term 2

Year
10

Physical Environment 

Changing Landscapes of the UK and Coasts

Geographical Investigations            

Coastal Fieldwork

Physical Environment 

Rivers or Glaciers

Physical Environment 

Weather Hazards and Climate Change

Physical Environment 

Ecosystems, Biodiversity and Management

Geographical Investigations             

Urban Fieldwork

Year
11

Human Environment 

Changing Cities

Human Environment 

Global Development

Human Environment 

Resource Management

Geographical Investigations                

UK Challenges

Revision

N/A