Geography

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Our aims

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Nelson Mandela

At St Joseph’s High School, our Geography department is driven by the belief that every young person has the potential to shape the world around them. Inspired by our motto, we encourage pupils not only to understand global issues, but to take meaningful action.

We fully support the school vision of “Every Child, Every Chance, Every Class, Every Day.” Every pupil is recognised as an individual, with unique strengths and talents. Success looks different for each learner, and we celebrate that diversity in every classroom.

Department Aims

Geography at St Joseph’s aims to inspire curiosity about the world and develop responsible global citizens. Pupils explore both physical and human environments while developing confidence to question, reflect and act.

Departmental staff

  • Mrs G Cunningham (Head of Department)
  • Mrs E Donnelly (Acting Head of Department & Global Learning / Eco-Schools Coordinator)
  • Miss H Cassidy (Head of Travel and Tourism)
  • Miss B McCann

Curriculum

In Years 8–10, students build a solid foundation in geographical skills including map work and understanding key global processes such as climate change and environmental challenges.

Year 8

- What is Geography; Map Skills; Ordnance Survey; Kenya & Africa; Settlement; Weather & Climate; Biodiversity

Year 9

- Population; Resources & Environment; Rivers, Coasts & Rocks; India & Asia; Ordnance Survey Maps

Year 10

- Tectonics; World Issues; Tourism; Development; China

GCSE Geography

Unit 1: Understanding Our Natural World (40%)

- River Environments; Coastal Environments; Weather & Climate; The Restless Earth

Assessment: External exam (1 hr 30 mins, Year 11; option to repeat Year 12)

Unit 2: Living in Our World (40%)

- Population & Migration; Changing Urban Areas; Development; Managing the Environment

Assessment: External exam (1 hr 30 mins, Year 12)

Unit 3: Fieldwork (20%)

Assessment: External exam (1 hr) based on fieldwork experience

A Level Geography

AS 1 Physical Geography (40% AS / 16% A Level)

- Processes that shape Fluvial Environments; Human interaction with Fluvial Environments; Global Biomes; Small Scale Ecosystems; Weather & Climate; Weather in British Isles; Global Weather Issues

Assessment: External exam (1 hr 15 mins)

AS 2 Human Geography (40% AS / 16% A Level)

- Population Data; Population Change; Population & Resources; Settlement Change; Rural Planning; Urban Challenges; Measuring Development; Reducing Development Gap; Emerging Markets

Assessment: External exam (1 hr 15 mins)

AS 3 Fieldwork Skills (20% AS / 8% A Level)

Assessment: External exam (1 hr)

Assessment: External exam (1 hr)

A2 Physical Geography (24% A Level)

- Plate tectonics: margins & landforms; Volcanic activity & management; Seismic activity & management; Coastal processes & features; Regional coastlines; Coastal management & sustainability

Assessment: External exam (1 hr 30 mins)

A2 Human Geography (24% A Level)

- Cultural geography; Migration; Geography of cyberspace; Changing nature of tourism; Mass tourism management; Ecotourism

Assessment: External exam (1 hr 30 mins)

A2 Decision Making (12% A Level)

- Students develop decision making skills, analyse evidence and justify recommendations

Assessment: External exam (1 hr 30 mins)