Secondary Geography
The study of geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exist across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.
Barack Obama
Geography Curriculum MapAt Hollinwood, Geography is delivered as an immersive approach for all young people, designed to provide them with an understanding of the world locally, nationally, and globally, both past and present. Our aim is for all young people to develop an inquiring approach to learning and the world around them.
Specifically, in Geography, our objective is to ensure that teaching equips young people with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources, and natural and human environments. We strive to develop their understanding of the Earth's key physical and human processes at an appropriate level for each learner.
Through our curriculum, we encourage young people to explore the world's regions, cultures, and physical features. They will learn about different climates, ecosystems, and how humans interact with their environment. By studying Geography, young people gain a sense of place, understand the interconnectedness of the world, and develop critical thinking skills.
By the end of their primary education at Hollinwood Academy, children and young people will have acquired a solid foundation of geographic knowledge and skills, allowing them to become informed global citizens who value and respect the world in which they live.
Overall, our Geography curriculum at Hollinwood encourages young people to think critically, ask questions, and develop a deep appreciation for the world they live in. Through our immersive teaching approach, we aim to foster a lifelong love for learning, an understanding of different perspectives, and a desire to make positive contributions to society and the environment.
Geography Lessons at Hollinwood Academy
At Hollinwood Academy, our geography lessons aim to provide all young people access to a comprehensive and well-rounded curriculum. Our focus is to enable them to develop essential skills and knowledge in the field of geography.
We believe in fostering a learning environment that encourages young people to ask thought-provoking questions, seek answers, form opinions, and cultivate new skills. By engaging them in interactive discussions and practical activities, we strive to nurture their curiosity and critical thinking abilities.
Moreover, Hollinwood Academy recognises the importance of fostering young people's awareness of why the world around them is the way it is. Through our geography lessons, we aim to cultivate their understanding of global issues, cultural diversity, and sustainable development. By doing so, we empower them to become informed and responsible global citizens.
In line with the National Curriculum in England, our geography lessons establish a solid foundation young people who wish to pursue qualifications in key stage 4. By equipping them with essential geographical knowledge, skills, and understanding, we prepare them for future academic endeavors.
At Hollinwood Academy, we are committed to providing high-quality geography education that not only meets the standards set by the curriculum but also engages and inspires our young people. Through engaging lessons, interactive activities, and real-world examples, we aim to ignite a lifelong passion for geography in every young person who enters our classrooms.
Schemes of Work
Our Geography schemes of work at Hollinwood Academy follow the National Curriculum in England, providing a well-rounded education for our young people. We have carefully crafted our own bespoke schemes to meet the unique needs of our young people.
Our aim is to inspire young people to think like geographers, fostering curiosity and exploration. Through our schemes, we cultivate a diverse knowledge of the world, encouraging our young people to question, observe, measure, record, analyse, and present their findings. We want to create an awareness of how Geography shapes our lives at multiple scales and over time, with the ultimate goal of nurturing resourceful, active citizens who can positively contribute to and improve the world around them.
Hollinwood Academy's schemes focus on developing both geographical skills and knowledge, while promoting critical thinking. We encourage students to ask perceptive questions, explain and analyse evidence, and engage in fieldwork skills across each year group. This allows them to connect with their surroundings and understand their locality in relation to other areas of the world.
By following our schemes, young people can effectively meet the end of key stage attainment targets in the National Curriculum. Our aims align with those set out in the National Curriculum, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging approach to the study of Geography. Our schemes enable our young people to develop the necessary skills, knowledge, and understanding to thrive in the subject.
Curriculum Adaptations and Pedagogy
The curriculum adaptations and pedagogy at Hollinwood Academy is centered around meeting the unique needs and abilities of every learner, ensuring equal opportunities for academic, personal, and social development. The primary goals include:
1. Inclusivity: Adapt the curriculum to ensure that all learners have access to quality education, regardless of their individual needs.
2. Adaptive Teaching: Provide personalised learning experiences that cater to the diverse abilities, interests, and learning styles of the children and young people.
3. Progression: Foster a holistic and sequential approach to learning, allowing children and young people to build on their prior knowledge, skills, and understanding from their identified starting points.
4. Empowerment: Develop independent learners who are equipped with the skills, resilience, and self-confidence required to succeed academically and, in their future lives.
Curriculum Adaptations and Pedagogy
Assessment
An enquiry-based approach to learning is implemented in our teaching of Geography, allowing teachers to assess young people against the National Curriculum expectations. Hollinwood Academy's geography scheme provides ongoing opportunities for both formative and summative assessments, enabling the constant monitoring of its impact.
In each lesson, teachers are given guidance on how to assess children and young people's progress in relation to the learning objectives. Additionally, every unit incorporates an end of topic assessment, which can be used to assess young people’s understanding at the start or end of the unit. The assessment process within each unit also includes opportunities for young people to present their findings using their geographical skills.
To ensure personalised support, each young person has individualised geography progress targets. These targets are closely monitored, and we maintain a strong partnership with parents by sharing them on a termly basis via Arbor, our digital communication platform.
Qualifications
Hollinwood Academy is proud to offer young people the opportunity to gain a range of geography qualifications.
Young people have the option to study geography GCSE, which follows the AQA Exam Board. This comprehensive course allows young people to explore various geographical concepts, including physical and human geography, environmental issues, and fieldwork techniques. Young people will develop critical thinking and analytical skills through engaging with real-world case studies and geographical data.
Additionally, we offer Geography ELC, following the OCR Exam Board. This Entry Level Certificate in geography provides young people with a solid foundation in key geographical knowledge and skills, nurturing their understanding of landscapes, ecosystems, and the interconnections between people and places.
At Hollinwood Academy, our dedicated geography department ensures that students receive high-quality teaching and support to excel in their geography qualifications and beyond, fostering a lifelong passion for the subject.
Technology
We believe in the power of technology to enhance learning, and we have made it an integral part of our geography curriculum. At the secondary stage, we embrace the use of iPads and other technological tools, enabling all young people to engage actively with their learning. By utilising these resources, we aim to remove barriers and make geography accessible for every young person.
All young people have access to a wide range of interactive geography and learning apps, including:
Geography BBC BitesizeTo further consolidate learning, we also incorporate various interactive geography games into our lessons. These games provide young people with opportunities to apply their geography knowledge in a stimulating and enjoyable way. By making use of technology in such a manner, we not only enhance understanding but also instil a love for geography in our young people. At Hollinwood Academy, we firmly believe that by embracing technology, we can empower our young people to overcome challenges and reach their full potential in geography and beyond.
