Geography

In Geography at Monkton, we think differently as we don’t just view it as an academic subject to be studied but we encourage students to see who they are, where they are and how they can help from a local and global perspective.

Year 9

The curriculum is designed to set some different and engaging challenges from those faced in Year 7 and 8. There are 3 topics covered throughout the year.

What will I learn?

The Michaelmas Term begins with an in depth look at Antarctica, the world’s last great wilderness. We look at the fragility of the continent and the attempts being made to preserve it. In the Lent Term, we start with a study of conflict at global and local scales, focusing on piracy off the coast of Somalia and Nigeria and taking a look at conflicts that occur closer to home.

In the second half of the Lent Term and on into the Summer Term we start the GCSE course with a unit of work on Ecosystems called The Living World.

GCSE Years 10 and 11

What will I learn?

Living with the Physical Environment:

• The challenge of natural hazards - including tectonic hazards and weather hazards.
• The Living World - a range of ecosystems.
• Physical Landscapes in the UK- including rivers and coastlines.

Challenges in the Human Environment:

• Urban issues and challenges - population and urban growth.
• The changing Economic world - globalisation.
• The challenge of resource management - Food, water and energy management and security.

As well as the core units the students will gain a wide range of cartographic, statistical and graphical skills, while also learning how to interpret and analyse data.

The students will also undertake a range of fieldwork activities.

How is the course structured and assessed?

Students will be asked a range of questions including multiple-choice, short answer and extended prose.

There are three externally examined papers:

• Paper One - Living in the physical environment - 1 hour 30 minutes - 35%
• Paper Two - Challenges in the human environment - 1 hour 30 minutes - 35%
• Paper Three - Geographical applications: 1 hour 15 minutes - 30% - Section 1 - issue evaluation - pre-released booklet. - Section 2 - Fieldwork. - Section 3 - Geographical skills.

A Level Years 12 and 13

Geography explores the complex relationships between physical and human environments and how these change over time.

There has never been a better or more important time to study Geography. With growing awareness of the issues of climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion Geography is one of the most relevant courses you could study.

Whatever your passion for the world - fascination with landscapes or concerns about inequality - Geography will provide you with the knowledge and transferable skills that will reward you personally and advance you professionally.

Dr Rita Gardner, former Director of the RGS-IBG.

What do I need before starting this course?

Grade 6 or above at GCSE in Geography, English Language and Mathematics as well as fulfilling the requirements for entering Year 12.

What will I learn? 

A full study of issues affecting people and their environment including Hydrology, atmosphere and weather, rocks and weathering, population, migration and settlement dynamics.

In year 13 you will learn Global interdependence, environmental management, challenges along coastlines and Hazards. Alongside this, you will have the opportunity to carry out a range of fieldwork activities.

How is this course structured and assessed?

There are 2 exams at AS and 2 exams at A2, each is 90 minutes long. The course has a modular structure which means that the AS exam results can be carried forward and form 50% of the A2.