The Importance of Geography

"The study of geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places. It helps young people make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world. It explains where places are, how places and landscapes are formed, how people and their environment interact, and how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are interconnected. It builds on pupils' own experiences to investigate places at all scales, from the personal to the global.

Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people's lives, now and in the future. Fieldwork is an essential element of this. Pupils learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information. Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet." (Extract from NC Online)

Key Stage 3

Geography at Key Stage 3 offers opportunities for pupils to:

• investigate a wide range of people, places and environments at different scales around the world;
• study geographical patterns and processes and how political, economic, social and environmental factors affect contemporary geographical issues;
• investigate how places and environments are interdependent;
• carry out geographical enquiry, including identifying geographical questions and developing their own opinions;
• carry out geographical investigations inside and outside the classroom;
• use a range of investigative and problem-solving skills and resources, including different types of maps and atlases, satellite images, aerial photographs, texts and ICT.

• the ability to undertake geographical enquiry and use geographical skills;
• knowledge and understanding of places;
• knowledge and understanding of geographical patterns and processes;
• knowledge and understanding of environmental change and sustainable development.

• study at a range of scales from local to global;
• study different parts of the world and different types of environments, including their local area, the UK, the EU and parts of the world in different states of economic development;
• carry out fieldwork investigations;
• study issues of topical significance.

Key Stage 4

Students currently study AQA GCSE Geography in which they study aspects of People and the Natural Environment and People and the Human Environment which covers Tectonic Activity, Coastal Landscapes, Weather and Climate, Settlement, Industry and Development.

The coursework required by the students is a piece of approximately 2500 words based on a fieldwork investigation at a local/small scale.

Links

BBC GCSE Bitesize Geography