Subjects / Geography

What is Geography?
Geography can be defined as the study of the earth and its features; the processes and interactions within the environment around us; the distribution of life on the earth, including human life and the effects of human activity is about out environment and the world around us.
What topics do we study?
Key Stage 3:
Term 1- One World
Year 7- Geography Skills and Map Reading
Year 8- Geography in the News
Term 2- Unfair World
Year 7- Geography of Fashion and Football
Year 8- Volcanoes and Earthquakes
Term 3- Sustainable World
Year 7- Global Warming and Energy
Year 8- Geography of Crime
Term 4- Dangerous World
Year 7- Natural Disasters
Year 8- Geography Disaster Movie
Term 5- Changing World
Year 7- Wildlife conservation
Year 8- Rivers and Coasts
Term 6- Distant World
ITALY or CHINA PROJECT
Year 9:
After pupils have chosen to study Geography the curriculum focuses on the skills required to be successful at GCSE level. Each term these skills are taught by studying the human and physical Geography of the world’s continents;
Term 1- Africa
Term 2- Europe
Term 3- South America
Term 4- North America
Term 5- Asia
Term 6- The Geography Project- an enterprise based project.
Key Stage 4 (GCSE):
At Swadelands we study AQA Geography A during years 10 and 11. This is a dynamic course which builds on students’ previous learning in the subject and teaches about relevant in recent events in Geography. The course is made up of two units; Unit 1 Physical Geography and Unit 2 Human Geography, as well as 25% controlled assessment, which will be carried out at the end of year 10.
The topics covered are:
- The Restless Earth
- Water on the Land
- The Coastal Zone
- Population Change
- The Development Gap
- Tourism
Home Learning
Years 7-9 will each get set a home learning project at the start of each term, this will be on the portal and they will receive an instruction sheet when the work is set. They will be given up to 5 weeks to complete the project.
GCSE students are set home learning on a weekly basis which aims to further the learning in the classroom; this will usually take the form of research or practice exam questions.
Visits in Geography
The Geography department aims to offer each student an opportunity to attend at least one residential visit and one day visit whilst in each key stage (3 and 4). This year key stage 3 students are going on a 4 night residential visit to Sorrento, Italy in July and in key stage 4 students will see the vast amounts of Geography along the Dorset coastline in a 4 night visit during the Easter holidays.
Day visits on offer include:
Howletts Zoo- Year 7
Folkestone- Year 8
Wrotham Fieldwork Centre- Key Stage 4
GCSE Fieldwork Data Collection- Year 10


