The geography curriculum at St Wilfrid’s is designed to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, deepening their understanding of a range of places and giving them the intention to travel and explore the world further.
Through our thematic approach in KS3, pupils will develop an excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like including an understanding of physical and human environments and processes. Pupils will also have the opportunity to develop a comprehensive understanding of the issues facing a diverse range of places and people whilst also considering how we can protect our world for future generations.
We encourage the pupils to apply their knowledge through our oracy framework by providing regular opportunities to ask questions and develop their critical thinking skills. The curriculum also promotes their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development giving pupils the confidence to interact with the wider world and providing them with the cultural literacy to be positive role models for the future.
Geographical skills are embedded throughout all key stages. Students develop their cartographic, graphical, ICT and GIS skills.
In KS4 we follow the AQA specification, which is examined at the end of Year 11.
Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment (35% of GCSE). This section covers: Natural hazards, tectonic hazards, weather hazards, climate change, ecosystems, tropical rainforests, coastal landscapes, and river landscapes.
Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment (35% of GCSE). This section covers: The urban world, urban change in the UK, urban sustainability, newly emerging economies, the changing UK economy, resource management, food management, water management and energy management.
Paper 3: Geographical Applications (30% of GCSE). This section is dived into two halves, section A provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate geographical skills and apply knowledge/understanding, by looking at issues developed in paper 1 and paper 2. A pre-release booklet is issued 12 weeks before the examination. Section B focusses on fieldwork with an opportunity to go to Hornsea to look at coastal management.