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Curriculum > Departments > Geography
Subject Outline
Geography at Thomas Adams is all about exploring connections between people and their
environment, whether that be in the UK, Europe or further afield. We use an enquiry
approach which means lessons include practical exercises, group work, problem solving
and role play. We also use lots of different resources including books, magazine articles,
maps, aerial photos, CD roms, ICT and the internet. All year groups undertake fieldwork,
this ranges from local studies throughout Key Stages 3 and 4 to a week-long residential
field course in North Yorkshire at 'A' level.
At Key Stage 3 we follow the National Curriculum. This includes the development of
geographical skills and appreciation of the values and attitudes of others as well as the
study, in a variety of countries, of tectonic and geomorphological processes, weather and
climate, ecosystems, population distribution and change, changing settlements, the
changing distribution of economic activity, development, globalisation, environmental and
resource issues. The subject is taught in mixed-ability groups in Year 7, moving to sets
from Year 8.
The subject is a very popular choice for GCSE and the EdExcel Specification B is followed.
GCSE students study a wide range of geographical processes in both the natural world and
human environments along with the relationships between the two! Students are given
the opportunity to research and debate issues central to the course and there is an
emphasis on enquiry learning and developing thinking skills which help make the subject
interesting, challenging and fun. At the end of the course, students will have completed:
Coursework:
A major investigative study from original fieldwork, which is
completed in the Spring of Year 10 and worth 25%
Exam:
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Decision-making paper with resources given out beforehand,
that can be worked on and discussed in class prior to the
examination
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Structured questions on topics studied in a variety of
countries, such as rivers, coasts, hazards, population issues,
urban studies, industry and transport
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Geography is also a very successful subject at AS and A-level, with many students
deciding to progress from GCSE studies to the full A level.
The EdExcel syllabus leads on smoothly from GCSE studies. The course is modular and
units include rivers, coasts, population, economy, hazards and weather and climate. There
is a coursework element at both AS and A2 levels, with the former based on the weeklong
residential field visit to North Yorkshire.
Once again a range of resources and techniques are used to ensure that the subject is
fun, interesting and relevant to the real world around us.
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