Geography
Bringing the world into the classroom
AIMS:
Arnold House Geography Department aims to provide pupils with a framework of knowledge in relation to: place (global location; physical systems; landforms; weather and climate, tectonic activity, etc); the influence of the environment on human activity and vice versa; maps of different types and scales and their interpretation.
CURRICULUM:
Year 5
• Term 1 – Weathering and Rivers
• Term 2 – The British Isles
• Term 3 – Africa (River Nile and Kenya)
Year 6
• Term 1 - Earthquakes and Volcanoes
• Term 2 - Weather and Climate - Weather and Climate Hazards Case Study
• Term 3 – Envionmental Issues (National Park Case Study)
Year 7
• Term 1 – Environmental Issues - Geomorphological Processes
• Term 2 – Flooding Case Study - Sustainable Development case Study
• Term 3 - Fieldwork Trip to Dorset - Fieldwork
Year 8
• Term 1 - Settlement - Global Economic Activity Case Study
• Term 2 - Revision and Exam Practice
• Term 3 - Revision and Exam Practice
Time Allocation and Staffing:
In years 1 and 2 School Geography is taught within broader themes. Years 3 & 4 have two periods a week (this is flexible if cross–curricular themes are being taught). Boys in Years 5 and 8 have three lessons a week.
As a general rule, form teachers teach the subject in Years 1 to 3. A subject specialist teaches Years 4 and 5 and the Head of Department teaches Years 6 to 8.
Extra–Curricular:
Theme–based visits are arranged in the Junior and Senior School as appropriate. This year we enjoyed listening to a former pupil recounting the story of how he travelled around the world on a shoestring budget of just £5.00. This was in 1956! Fieldwork is an essential element in the Senior School. Year 7 visit Dorset for 2 days to complete the fieldwork for their main Common Entrance project. In Year 8 boys take part in the Global Location League, an activity that helps them learn the places and geographical features stipulated in the Common Entrance Syllabus.