Geography

The curriculum has been designed so that pupils follow not only the National Curriculum but a range of geographical ideas and concepts at each stage of their learning. Each topic allows pupils exposure to different aspects of geography such as locational knowledge, physical processes and human interaction to ensure holistic learning about places and themes. Pupils study concepts at a range of scales allowing them to compare and contrast different situations and how people live in different parts of the world can differ, and to draw comparisons with their own cultures and lives.

Geography is taught through:

All classes at KS3
Optional GCSE and optional A-Level. Students at GCSE and A-Level follow the Edexcel specifications.

If you would like to get in touch, please e-mail: je@westfield.academy.

Key Stage 3

Years 7 & 8: Through weekly lessons (3 lessons every fortnight).

Year 7 begin with some basic fundamentals of what Geography is and how it is structured – this helps to ensure that pupils know what the subject is about, as this underpins the structure of the GCSE.

Half-Term 1

Year 7: What is a geographer?
Year 8: Earthquakes

Half-Term 2

Year 7: Fantastic places
Year 8: Extreme Weather

Half-Term 3

Year 7: Volcanos
Year 8: The Amazon

Half-Term 4

Year 7: Tourism
Year 8: Going Global

Half-Term 5

Year 7: Africa
Year 8: Conflict

Half-Term 6

Year 7: Development
Year 8: Antarctica

Key Stage 4

Years 9-11: Through weekly lessons (5 lessons every fortnight).

Geography is an option at KS4.

Spec: Edexcel B

GCSE Geography is an exciting subject which looks at a wide range of contemporary global issues. The course is split into three components:

Paper 1 - Global Geographical Issues. This includes topics on both physical and human geography.

Paper 2 - UK Geographical Issues. This includes topics that focus on the physical and human geography of the UK and includes some focus on field work.

Paper 3 - People and the Environment.

Fieldwork is a compulsory part of GCSE Geography and all pupils choosing to study this course must be willing to attend and participate in fieldwork. This will include:

an urban study
a rural study to either a river environment or a coastal environment

Key Stage 5

Geography is evermore being recognised as an engaging, relevant, and topical subject.

Geography graduates are highly sought after as they possess critical skills and use an interdisciplinary approach to tackle many of the potential future global issues. Geography at Westfield Academy is a qualification that enables our students to engage critically with real world issues and places, apply their own geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to make sense of the world around them, and to help prepare them to succeed in their chosen pathway. Within A-Level Geography, students explore contemporary issues currently affecting the world today, including managing the impacts of natural hazards, water security and climate change.

Exams & Assessment

Outlined below is the department formal structure for monitoring students' progress. In addition to this, we employ a number of assessments for learning processes including retrieval and interleaving throughout the year.