Geography
The study of geography is about more than just memorising places. At The Grange School, we help children understand how the world works by exploring where things are, why they are there, and how people and the environment influence each other. Geography supports curiosity about local areas and the wider UK, while building key skills such as observing, asking questions and sharing ideas.
Through age-appropriate lessons, children learn to recognise features on maps and simple globes, compare places, and understand basic human and physical geography. They may investigate rivers, coasts, weather and seasonal changes, as well as how communities use land and resources. These experiences help pupils make sense of everyday life and develop a sense of place, belonging and responsibility.
For parents, geography offers an easy way to extend learning at home. Encourage children to talk about journeys, notice landmarks, compare pictures of different places and look for patterns in the weather. When children practise describing what they see and locating places using atlases or maps, they strengthen literacy, numeracy and reasoning—while enjoying learning together.
Key Stage 3
Students will explore key issues facing our planet, including the harm done by humans as well as discovering different ways that people are working sustainably to solve these problems. They will also learn how to form opinions and present justified arguments based on a range of data and their growing body of knowledge. This will eventually lead to an ability to evaluate schemes effectively drawing on a range of concepts from across the varied units of study.
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What is Geography? In Year 7 we study a range of Diverse Places in Geography starting locally with Christchurch before comparing it against Mexico City, an inherently different geographical location. Continents We then move on to a range of different continents starting with North America where we focus initially on the main physical and human features before looking into some of the most pressing issues facing the continent such as migration and resource exploitation before moving next to South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australasia and then finally Antarctica. The idea is to give students a flavour of the distinct continents to allow a range of comparisons to be made whilst building upon the skills taught when investigating earlier continents.
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Energy We look at renewable and non-renewable energy resources, local, national and international changes in energy use and collaboration with other countries. Are you flood ready? During this unit, we look at local and national flood events and flood management. We also study the water cycle and river features. We include work comparing UK flooding and flooding in Bangladesh in this unit. Asia (focusing on China) Students develop an awareness of this rising nation and the issues it faces in the future regarding the sustainability of development. Coasts This unit comprises a study of coastal processes, landforms and management and culminates in a trip to Hengistbury Head in order to complete a geographical enquiry. Economic Geography We aim to develop an understanding of different types of industry and how the employment mix varies between countries of different development levels. This leads to a focus on the tourist industry where we investigate a range of different case studies. |
Natural Hazards A range of natural hazards are studied, with in depth work on earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes. Focus is on hazard management and mitigation and challenges for hazard management in the future. We focus on South East Asia in this topic. Current Global Issues In this topic we investigate a range of the most contemporary issues that are currently facing the world including geopolitics, population, migration, urbanisation pressures and tensions on a range of natural resources in Asia. Development and Population Ways of measuring development, investigation into why some countries are richer than others and what the implications for this are for a range of stakeholders around the world. We include an investigation into whether aid or fair trade is better for helping development. We compare the benefits of both top-down and bottom-up development examples Climate Change One of the most important aspects of Geography is tackled here where we outline the causes, consequences and responses to climate change, the most pressing global issue in the eyes of many of our students. The Geography of the Middle East A study of both the physical and human features of the Middle East enabling students to understand the challenges faced in this region. UK Landscapes During the summer term we investigate a variety of landscapes from across the UK including those unfamiliar to our local area including limestone and glaciated landscapes. |
Key Stage 4 - Options Information
Exam Board and Specification: Edexcel A GCSE in Geography
Who is the course for?
This course would suit students who are interested in understanding the world we live in. There is a particular focus on the way in which people impact the environment.
Geography would suit someone who is happy to ask lots of questions and find the answers, and who is interested in teamwork and social awareness.
A lot of emphasis is placed on using data to make decisions and undertaking statistical testing.
What will I do on the course?
You will study a range of physical and human Geography topics including river and coastal processes and landforms, weather hazards and climate change, ecosystems, and social and economic development issues.
Content will be based both on the UK and further afield.
Field trips are an important part of the course and all students are required by the exam board to complete 2 days in the field. We will visit an urban area and a coastal area.
