There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing.

 Sir Ranulph Fiennes, “the world’s greatest living explorer”

Overview

Geography at Upper Batley High School is a carefully designed course, which promotes and fosters enthusiasm in learners for learning about the world in the 21st Century. The world is constantly changing and our curriculum reflects this dynamic and changing world, investigating topical issues, changing countries and potential futures. There is an emphasis on encouraging learners to develop an independent curiosity about their world and its interactions.

Outline of Course Content

Year 7 topics include:

• An Introduction to Geography, Map Skills and Fieldwork
• UK coastline
• Physical and Human geography of China
• Physical and Human geography of The Middle East
• Physical and Human geography of Brazil

Year 8 topics include:

• UK Rivers
• Physical and Human geography of UK
• Physical and Human geography of Africa
• Physical and Human geography of India
• Physical and Human geography of USA
• Physical and Human geography of Russia

Year 9 topics include:

• Tropical Rainforest Ecosystem
• Hot Desert Ecosystem
• Cold Desert Ecosystem
• Natural hazards and extreme weather 

GCSE Geography

GCSE Geography offers a more in-depth study of key geographical subjects such as earthquakes, volcanoes, rivers, coasts, populations, global warming and urban growth. Geography is not all classroom based as learners have the opportunity to take part in Geography fieldwork away from the classroom at GCSE level.

Year 10 topics include:

• Paper 1 Living with the physical environment: Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
• Paper 2 Challenges in the human environment: Section A: Urban Issues and challenges
• Paper 1 Living with the physical environment: Section C: The physical landscapes in the UK
• Paper 3 Geographical applications: Section B: Fieldwork
• Paper 2 Challenges in the human environment: Section C: The challenge of resource management

Year 11 topics include:

• Paper 1 Living with the physical environment: Section C: The physical landscapes in the UK
• Paper 2 Challenges in the human environment: Section B: The changing economic world
• Paper 1 Living with the physical environment: Section B: The living world
• Paper 3 Geographical applications: Section A: Issue evaluation (using pre-released material on a certain topic previously covered)

Extracurricular and Enrichment Opportunities

• Weekly revision sessions offered which review both the Geography exam content and exam skills.
• Field trip to both a human and physical environment is completed in the summer term of year 10.
• Regular walking talking mock exams are completed.

Resources to support learning / ICT Resources:

CGP Revision guides - Sold by the department

BBC Bite size Revision -  https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/examspecs/zy3ptyc

Seneca Online - https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/blog/gcse-geography-revision/

Mrs Humanities - https://mrshumanities.com/2018/01/29/resource-gcse-case-study-and-exam-question-revision-booklet/

Other Information:

Field trips are designed to enable learners to experience at first hand the natural environment which surrounds us.

We are privileged to live in a country that is geographically diverse in both its physical and human characteristics and have exciting Geography on our doorstep. We shall certainly be making the most of these opportunities and allowing learners to broaden their knowledge base.

 Year 10 travel to Bridlington on the east coast, to experience the amazing scenery on offer and visit local tourist attractions, and to see some of the coastal features taught in the classroom up close whilst completing their physical and human fieldwork study.