Intent Statement

Geography is a hybrid discipline that spans both the Natural and Social Sciences. Powerful knowledge in Geography: 

• Provides students with new ways of thinking about the world using 'big ideas’ such as Place, Space, and Interconnection 

• Provides students with powerful ways of analysing, explaining, and understanding the world in which we live and how we interact with it. 

• Give students control of their own knowledge - students need to know about discipline and how knowledge has been developed and tested. 

• Enables students to follow and participate in debates in significant local, national, and global issues. Takes students beyond their own experience. This knowledge of the world contributes strongly to students’ general knowledge. 

Department Information

Geography is about the interaction between people and their environment.  It is studied by all students in years 7-9 and is a very popular option at GCSE and A level.  The Geography Department at King James is committed to delivering interesting and exciting lessons as well as encouraging students to broaden and deepen their knowledge of all things geographical.

Key Stage 5

Students will follow the AQA A-Level Geography Syllabus.

Paper 1: Physical Geography 40% of final grade

Paper 2: Human Geography 40% of final grade

Paper 3: Geographical Investigation 20% of final grade

A Level Geography enables you to understand some of the processes that are affecting the world today and that could affect our future. This dynamic course will give you a view on how the world is changing and the processes that produce change.

A GCSE in Geography at Grade 6 is essential

Lessons are varied to incorporate a wide range of teaching techniques, including lectures, presentations and both group and individual study tasks and activities, alongside Field Trips and practical work. Students complete an individual study based on their own choice of Fieldwork.

Year 12

In Year 12 students study Hazards, Changing Places, Water and Carbon cycles.

Hazards focuses on the Lithosphere and the Atmosphere, which intermittently but regularly present Natural Hazards to Human Populations, often in dramatic and sometimes catastrophic fashion.

Changing Places focuses on people's engagement with places, their experience of them and the qualities they ascribe to them, all of which are of fundamental importance in their lives.

Water and Carbon Cycles focuses on the major stores of water and carbon at or near the Earth’s surface and the dynamic cyclical relationships associated with them.

Year 13

In Year 13 students study Contemporary Urban Environments, Coasts and Globalisation. There is also a  final focus on preparing students for the final exams.

Contemporary Urban Environments focuses on urban growth and change which are processes that present significant environmental and social challenges for human populations. 

Coasts focuses on Coastal Zones, which are dynamic environments in which Landscapes develop by the interaction of Winds, Waves, Currents and Terrestrial and Marine Sediments.

Globalisation focuses on Globalisation – the Economic, Political and Social changes associated with Technological and other Driving forces which have been a key feature of Global Economy and Society in recent decades

Learning Journeys

Geography