Shavington Academy

Geography Department

Curriculum Leader

Mr R Clowes

Our Geography curriculum at Shavington aims to develop the character of our pupils through 9 key values which are interwoven into both our classroom learning and our extra-curricular opportunities. We aim to support pupils academic progress alongside their journey to become global citizens.

We start embedding skills and knowledge from day one of year 7, working through topics such as natural hazards, international development, and geography of conflict. Our fantastic GCSE course builds on the skills developed in KS3 and provides us with ample opportunities to create expert geographers. We run out of school fieldtrips within our curriculum and as extracurricular opportunities.

These trips broaden the horizons of our pupils and develops their understanding of the world even further. Our geography curriculum is built on the values of kindness and respect for other people, cultures and the environment whilst studying how we affect the world and how the world affects us.

Fieldtrips

The Geography department understand the value and learning opportunities providing by field work undertaken outside the classroom.

We complete two field work trips as part of our GCSE curriculum, one to Birmingham and one to a local river.

We have also in the past ran field trips to other locations both local and further afield, including Iceland

How parents can support their child

Parents have a huge part to play in maximising the progress made in Geography:

Ask them questions about what they are studying in Geography
Support with revision
Ensure your child has the correct equipment – pen / pencil / ruler
Check exercise books
Support with homework
Read the news and discuss current affairs at home
Have a world map / globe / atlas at home and encourage looking at it, engaging with it

Feedback and Assessment

KS3 – Pupils will sit progressive assessments at three key points throughout the year and these will be formally assessed. Progress is monitored regularly throughout the year through structured responsive assessments, various learning activities and homework tasks.

KS4 – We follow the Edexcel B Geography Specification and pupils sit the following written examinations at the end of Year 11

Component 1 – Global Geographical Issues – 37.5%
Component 2 – UK Geographical Issues – 37.5%
Component 3 – People and Environment Issues – 25%

Year 10 and 11 pupils will sit mock examinations at key points throughout the course.

Stretch and Challenge in Geography

Pupils are consistently encouraged to challenge themselves within Geography. There are challenge activities included in all lessons and opportunities to pupils to excel.

The GCSE Specification which was introduced in 2016 comes with high demands and at Shavington we used this opportunity to overhaul our KS3 curriculum in order to suitably prepare and develop pupil’s skills and knowledge.

In Geography we ‘teach to the top’ whilst scaffolding down for those that need support. This allows all pupils the opportunity to achieve the very best grades possible and ensures even the top marks are available to all.

The individual feedback and improvements provided to all pupils after key assessment points aim to provide pupils with the opportunity to be resilient and develop their skills through further practice.