Geography
Geography Program at Gable Hall School:
The Geography program at Gable Hall School is designed to instil curiosity about the world, encouraging students to actively participate in positive change. The curriculum ensures comprehensive learning outcomes for all students.
Intent: The Geography curriculum will ensure that all students:
- Have knowledge of global locations and a curiosity to explore the wider world.
- Understand the interdependence and interconnectedness of places, recognising the relationships between human and physical environments.
- Possess an extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary to express well-balanced opinions.
- Be fluent in geographical enquiry, applying questioning skills, and utilising effective analytical and presentational techniques.
- Develop the ability to reach clear conclusions and construct reasoned arguments to explain findings.
Implementation: Teachers will:
- Use the scheme of work to enable students to investigate local, national, and global places and environments, fostering geographical communication with technical vocabulary.
- Facilitate fieldwork to observe human and physical features in the local environment.
- Integrate technology and virtual reality experiences, providing near 'real life' opportunities, like replicating a rainforest in the classroom.
- Implement trips and visits to develop students' geographical understanding of the world.
- Provide opportunities for students to practice and refine map skills in various contexts.
- Study key individuals and groups influencing changes in the world and its climate.
Impact: The Geography program anticipates the following impact on students:
- Make good progress academically.
- Cultivate a sense of curiosity about the world, leading to academic success.
- Understand current issues in society and the environment.
- Develop a deep knowledge and appreciation of their local area within the wider geographical context.
- Acquire lifelong skills to navigate locally and possess a broader global awareness.
- Be inspired to explore the United Kingdom and places of interest worldwide, deriving enjoyment from these experiences.
Navigating the World through Geography: Inspiring Curiosity and Understanding
Gable Hall School stands as a beacon of belief in the power of Geography to unlock the mysteries of our world, offering both questions and answers about its natural and human facets. Within these walls, we foster an environment where students not only grasp a deeper understanding of the world but also recognise their unique place within it.
A Curriculum that Transcends Boundaries
Our Geography curriculum is a tapestry of knowledge and skills, interwoven with threads that transcend the confines of subject boundaries. As students delve into its depths, they cultivate skills that resonate far beyond our classroom walls, enriching their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. Anchored in investigation, Geography nurtures the growth of concepts, knowledge, and competencies. Our aim is to ignite in students an unquenchable curiosity, a flame that will illuminate their understanding of the world and its diverse inhabitants throughout their lives.
Nurturing a Lifelong Passion for the World
Moreover, we endeavor to kindle within our students an enduring passion for the world, a fascination that will accompany them as lifelong learners. Our curriculum acts as a compass, guiding them to explore diverse places, people, resources, and the intricate interplay of natural and human environments. With a profound grasp of Earth's vital processes, both physical and human, students are equipped with knowledge and skills that evolve and progress as they journey through their time at Gable Hall.
A Tapestry of Implementation
In practice, our Geography curriculum unfurls in units that deepen understanding. At the outset of each topic, students embark on a journey of self-assessment, articulating their existing knowledge and fuelling their curiosity about the uncharted territories ahead. This guides our instructional approach, ensuring lessons are relevant and tailored to diverse starting points. We embrace a commitment to inclusion, nurturing deeper understanding and numeracy and literacy skills through the geographical lens.
Evident Transformations: Impact
Our students' learning journeys are meticulously documented in their outcomes, showcasing a curriculum that is both comprehensive and balanced. With each lesson, they embark on a voyage of self-assessment, acknowledging achievements, setting targets, and charting progress. Through local field visits, guest speakers, and immersive projects, their geographical understanding expands, intertwining with their holistic development.
In tandem, we illuminate potential career pathways linked to Geography, arming them with the specialised knowledge and skills that illuminate future possibilities. We vigilantly review student Flightpath Expectations, fostering robust academic progress both at KS3 and GCSE.
In conclusion, Geography at Gable Hall School isn't just a subject; it's a multidimensional odyssey that nurtures curiosity, broadens horizons, and equips students to thrive as global citizens. As our students navigate this course, they become not just explorers of geography but trailblazers of their own potential.
Key Stage 3
Exploring the World: Fostering Active Geographers with a Global Perspective
At our school, students embark on a captivating journey through Geography that unveils the layers of their local environment while connecting them to the broader tapestry of our world. We empower them to be more than just passive observers; we nurture their curiosity to become active geographers, ready to explore, question, and understand the intricate dynamics of our planet.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Our curriculum goes beyond textbooks, offering students hands-on experiences that bridge theory with reality. Through engaging practical fieldwork, including map exercises and microclimate investigations, they step out of the classroom to truly grasp the geographical nuances of their surroundings. They don't just learn about landscapes; they interact with them, developing a profound sense of place.
Broadening Perspectives
In our quest to expand horizons, our students delve into a range of captivating topics. They journey through seismic forces with Earthquakes and Volcanoes, unravel the mysteries of Weather and Climate, explore the interconnectedness of Globalisation, delve into the intricacies of Settlement and Population, and venture into the heart of Tropical Rainforests and Rivers. They engage with thought-provoking questions: Should coastlines be managed differently? Is world trade equitable? Should we extend aid?
Environmental Awareness and Skill Development
Our curriculum isn't just about knowledge; it's about instilling a sense of responsibility for our environment. Through carefully woven Golden Threads, students not only explore the world but also develop key skills like literacy, numeracy, and digital fluency. This holistic approach equips them to engage with complex issues in a multifaceted manner, fostering a well-rounded perspective.
Empowerment through Independent Exploration
We believe in nurturing independence. Through real-world scenarios, students are encouraged to make informed geographical decisions. Whether working individually or collaboratively in groups, they develop the ability to critically analyse and evaluate, honing essential life skills that extend far beyond the classroom.
As they journey through our Geography curriculum, our students evolve into inquisitive thinkers, empowered individuals, and responsible global citizens. They leave our school with not just knowledge, but with the tools to navigate the complexities of our world with confidence and understanding.
Key Stage 4
Empowering Global Thinkers: Our Purpose in Teaching Geography
Geography isn't just a subject; it's a gateway to understanding the world and our place within it. At our school, we impart a profound understanding of global issues like migration, climate change, and land management. But we don't stop at global scales – we ensure that our students grasp the impact and relevance of these issues in their local context. Through Geography, we equip them with essential life skills that extend well beyond the classroom.
Navigating the World Through Geography
Our Geographers embark on a journey that nurtures their ability to inquire, problem-solve, analyze statistics, and collaborate as a team. These skills, honed through engaging lessons and enriching fieldwork experiences, prepare them for the challenges and opportunities that life presents.
Agents of Positive Change
We believe our Geographers have the potential to reshape the world for the better. Armed with key concepts and critical skills, they step into the global arena as informed and motivated agents of change. The specifications we follow inspire, challenge, and motivate learners, leading them to a comprehensive understanding of geography and its interconnectedness with related sectors.
Aims of the GCSE Geography Curriculum
Our GCSE Geography curriculum at Gable Hall School is designed to achieve multiple aims:
- Engaging and Independent Thinkers: We foster independence, critical thinking, and enquiring minds that actively engage with the geographical process.
- Understanding Concepts: Our students develop a solid grasp of geographical concepts and appreciate their relevance in our ever-changing world.
- Spatial Awareness: From local neighborhoods to global landscapes, our students cultivate spatial awareness, valuing the significance of location.
- Global Perspectives: Through Geography, they understand diverse viewpoints, societies, and cultures, promoting empathy and respect.
- Values and Responsibilities: We guide them in understanding how values and attitudes shape issues, encouraging them to contribute to sustainable and inclusive futures.
- Real-world Application: Fieldwork and experiential learning bridge theory with practice, letting students apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Geographical Skills: Equipped with skills and modern technologies, they excel in analysis, inquiry, and interpretation.
A Passport to Success: Edexcel B Exam Specification
Our students follow the Edexcel B Exam Specification for Geography. This not only enriches their understanding but also contributes to the prestigious English Baccalaureate (EBacc) certification. This recognition is bestowed upon those who excel in English, Maths, Science, a foreign language, and a humanities subject like History or Geography – a testament to the comprehensive skills and knowledge our Geographers acquire.
In nurturing future leaders, informed citizens, and passionate global stewards, our Geography curriculum transcends the classroom, propelling our students towards a future where they can make a meaningful impact.
Key Stage 5
SMSC in Geography
SMSC, BV and Protected Characteristic development in Geography at Gable Hall School - Click Here
Spiritual Development in Geography:
- Geography, as the study of real people in real places, fosters students' spiritual development by connecting them with the world around them. For instance, when examining natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, or tsunamis, it ignites a fascination with the planet, promoting a deeper understanding of the world. Additionally, the study of populations, countries such as Brazil and Kenya, and globalisation encourages students to reflect on their own beliefs and the impact of a globalised world on these beliefs. These topics create opportunities for students to share their experiences and diverse perspectives, enriching discussions and debates. Imagination and creativity are integral to teaching, with activities ranging from designing villages to conducting environmental surveys, allowing students to engage spiritually with their surroundings.
Moral Development in Geography:
- Geography naturally lends itself to investigations, debates, and the consideration of various viewpoints, with most geographical topics having a moral dimension. For instance, when exploring physical topics like rivers, flooding, and coasts, students examine the extent to which these issues are man-made and a result of exploitation. Similarly, in topics such as tourism, fashion, and development, debates revolve around ethical considerations related to human actions, such as aid allocation and exploitative tourism in both LEDCs and MEDCs. Geography exposes students to the consequences of mismanagement and encourages them to view situations from different perspectives. Debates assign students different roles in decision-making processes, fostering empathy and an appreciation for diverse opinions.
Social Development in Geography:
- Social development is a key focus in Geography, actively enhancing and developing students' social skills throughout Key Stage 3. Collaborative learning begins with topics like settlement in Year 7, where classes work together as a group. Peer assessment and feedback further strengthen students' social skills. Questions and debates encourage students to engage in scenarios such as "what would you do" in various geographic situations, promoting cooperation and conflict resolution. The Humanities Club also plays a role in fostering social development by facilitating collaboration between students from different year groups and external agencies, such as recycling initiatives and partnerships with organisations like the Rainbow Refugee Centre.
Cultural Development in Geography:
- Geography in Key Stage 3 explores various cultures and their global influences, contributing to students' cultural awareness. Units on "Exploration of the UK," "Exploring the World," "Sport and Fashion," and school enquiries all contribute to cultural development. Geography allows students to express their opinions and communicate their knowledge in diverse ways, including artistic endeavours like creating volcanoes and empathy work related to natural disasters. Interaction with people, schools, and students from different countries or those who have visited these places further enriches cultural awareness. Human Geography, in particular, encourages students to explore their own identities and those of others.
In summary, Geography at Gable Hall School actively nurtures students' SMSC development, fostering spiritual connections, ethical considerations, social engagement, and cultural appreciation, equipping them with a well-rounded perspective on the world and their place in it.
Staff
Mr. A Bartlett – Head of Geography
Miss L Tyrrell – Teacher of Geography
Miss P Martin – Teacher of Geography
Mr R Lewin – Teacher of Geography
Mr. R Hughes – Teacher of Geography
