Geography
The Geography curriculum at Wilson’s provides its students with a framework for understanding the changing world they live in. Our curriculum develops students’ knowledge and understanding of the world through the geographical concepts of place, scale, physical and human processes and sustainability.
The aims of the Wilson’s Geography Curriculum are to:
- Provide opportunities for students to apply the breadth and depth of their knowledge to current geographical issues.
- Develop students’ geographical thinking through the lenses of time, scale, cost and knock-on effects.
- Demonstrate a range of geographical skills: cartographical, mathematical, oracy, writing and fieldwork.
The Geography Department is a very well regarded and highly successful department within Wilson's School. All students study Geography at Key Stage 3, which at Wilson's is a two year programme, and the subject is a popular options choice at both GCSE (with a three year programme of study) and A Level. At GCSE the department follows the new AQA specification. At A Level we follow the Edexcel specification.
Geography lessons at Wilson's are interesting and challenging and the pupils enjoy the subject at all key stages. Field work is also an integral part of the curriculum. Recent trips have included urban based studies for Year 11 around London Bridge, coastal fieldwork for Year 10, and examination fieldwork preparation in Dorset for Year 12 in November.
We are a thriving department with enthusiastic students and strong uptake in the option years, and we aim to create geographers of the future.
Geography Seven Year Plan 2024-25
Our Staff
Miss Denison (Head of Department)
Mr Cady
Ms Norris
Mr Sturt
Miss Fairbrother
Key Stage 3
We cover the following topic areas in Years 7 and 8:
- Year 7: The UK, Population and Settlement, Tectonics, Coasts and Rivers, Ecosystems and Fieldwork
- Year 8: Weather, Development, Globalisation and Trade, Glaciation, Resource Management and Climate Change
We aim to prepare boys for GCSE geography whilst also developing key geographical skills.
KS3 Core Concepts
| 1 Place and scale |
Develop an understanding of place identity at a variety of scales EXCEEDING: Clear understanding is shown via the thorough knowledge of the physical and human characteristics of locations at a local, national, regional and global scale. SECURE: Understanding is shown via the good knowledge of the physical and human characteristics of locations at a local, national, regional and global scale. DEVELOPING: Limited understanding is shown via the basic knowledge of the physical and human characteristics of locations at a local, national, regional and global scale. |
| 2 Earth processes |
Develop an understanding of the processes that shape the natural environment EXCEEDING: Clear understanding is shown via the thorough use of knowledge that demonstrates links between processes and natural landscapes with accurate use of key terminology. SECURE: Understanding is shown via the good use of knowledge that demonstrates links between processes and natural landscapes with good use of key terminology. DEVELOPING: Limited understanding shown via the basic use of knowledge that demonstrates links between processes and natural landscapes with limited use of key terminology. |
| 3 Human resources |
Develop an understanding of how humans can shape the areas that they live in both socially and economically EXCEEDING: Clear understanding is shown via the thorough use of knowledge that demonstrates links between processes and human landscapes with accurate use of key terminology. SECURE: Understanding is shown via the good use of knowledge that demonstrates links between processes and human landscapes with good use of key terminology. DEVELOPING: Limited understanding shown via the basic use of knowledge that demonstrates links between processes and human landscapes with limited use of key terminology. |
| 4 Sustainability |
Develop an understanding of the relationship between humans and the physical landscape currently and in the future EXCEEDING: Clear understanding is shown via the thorough use of analysis that demonstrates the balance required between people, the economy and environment to achieve sustainability. SECURE: Understanding is shown via the good use of analysis that demonstrates the balance required between people, the economy and environment to achieve sustainability. DEVELOPING: Limited understanding via the basic use of analysis that demonstrates the balance required between people, the economy and environment to achieve sustainability. |
Key Stage 4
Year 9 – 11
There are three examinations in Geography. All of these are taken at the end of Year 11.
Paper 1: Living with the physical environment
Written exam – 1 hour 30 minutes – 88 marks – 35% weighting
- Section A: The Challenge of the natural hazards
- Section B: The Living World
- Section C: Physical landscapes in the UK
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment
Written exam – 1 hour 30 minutes – 88 marks – 35% weighting
- Section A: Urban issues and challenges
- Section B: The changing economic world
- Section C: The challenge of resource management
Paper 3: Geographical applications
Written exam – 1 hour 15 minutes – 76 marks – 30% weighting
We follow the AQA Geography syllabus (8035), which is available at www.aqa.org.uk
Geographical skills are assessed in all three papers.
Key Stage 5
Year 12
We will follow the new Edexcel syllabus.
Paper 1
- Tectonic processes and hazards
- Coastal landscapes and change
- Physical Fieldwork
Paper 2
- Globalisation
- Regenerating places
- Human Fieldwork
Year 13
We will follow the new Edexcel syllabus.
Paper 1 (30% of the qualification)
- Tectonic processes and hazards
- Coastal landscapes and change
- The water cycle and water insecurity
- The carbon cycle and energy security
Paper 2 (30% of the qualification)
- Globalisation
- Regenerating places
- Superpowers
- Global development, health, human rights and intervention
Paper 3 (20% of the qualification)
Issue evaluation paper based on core concepts
Coursework of 3-4,000 words (20% of the qualification)
Support
The Geography Department run the Geography Society every Tuesday lunch time in Room 24. This is open for all to join and students may bring their lunch along. Any student wishing to drop in for extra support or simply to engage in some fun geographical activities is very welcome.
For GCSE students, Geography Clinic runs on Wednesday lunchtimes in Room 24 with Miss Denison. These sessions focus on exam technique and revision skills.
Our A Level students can drop in to Geography Clinic on Thursday lunch times in Room 24, or they can speak with Miss Denison or their class teacher to arrange a suitable date and time to receive extra help.
