Studying Geography at Bloomfield Collegiate School

Curriculum Leader: Mrs G. Calvert

Our vision

The Geography Department at Bloomfield Collegiate School is dedicated to fostering a deep sense of curiosity and connection to the world in our students. Our goal is to ignite a passion for exploration, enquiry, and critical thinking as they navigate the complexities of our dynamic planet.

We strive to empower our students with the tools to understand and analyse the intricate relationship of natural and human systems, encouraging them to ask probing questions and seek innovative solutions. Through experimental learning and hands on enquiry, we aim to encourage a profound sense of empathy and global citizenship, instilling in our students a responsibility to engage thoughtfully and to act as stewards of our shared environment.

The staff are dedicated to not only imparting knowledge and skills in Geography, but also to nurturing the growth of compassionate, empathetic individuals who recognise their capacity to effect positive change in both local and global communities. Together, we inspire our students to embrace their role as informed, conscientious citizens and advocates for the sustainable future of our planet.

Key Stage 3

The KS3 Geography curriculum at Bloomfield Collegiate School aims to develop our student’s sense of place and offer a broad range of topics studied in both Physical and Human Geography, providing a strong grounding for further study at GCSE and A-level.

The topics that are studied each year are:

Year 8

· Introduction to Geography
· Rivers
· Settlement
· Weather
· Development
· Map skills

Year 9

· Population
· Coasts
· Economic Activity
· Tourism
· Climate Change

Year 10

· Tectonic and Weather hazards
· Globalisation
· Fair trade
· Ecosystems
· Geography of war
· Geographical skills

GCSE Specification and summary

Examination board: CCEA Specification.

The Geography GCSE consists of three units:

Unit 1 – Understanding our Natural World

· Theme A – River Environments
· Theme B – Coastal Environments
· Theme C – Our Changing Weather and Climate
· Theme D – The Restless Earth

Unit 2 – Living in our World

· Theme A – Population and Migration
· Theme B – Changing Urban Areas
· Theme C – Contrasts in World Development
· Theme D – Managing our Environment

Unit 3 – Fieldwork

This unit comprises of geographical skills and a fieldwork study carried out in year 11.

There are three examination papers:

· Paper 1 (1hr 30) examines Unit 1 (40% of total grade)
· Paper 2 (1hr 30) examines Unit 2 (40% of total grade)
· Paper 3 (1hr) examines Unit 3 (20% of total grade)

A-level Specification and summary

Examination board: CCEA specification.

At AS and A2 the students will study a range of Physical and Human Geography topics:

The topics for AS are:

AS 1: Physical Geography

Fluvial Environments
Global and Local Ecosystems
Weather and Climate

AS 2: Human Geography

Population
Settlement
Development

AS 3: Fieldwork and Skills

For this Unit students are given the opportunity to take part in primary data collection on a geographical issue. The topics for A2 are:

A2 1: Physical Processes, Landforms and Management

Option A: Plate Tectonics: Theory and Outcomes
Option C: Dynamic Coastal Environments

A2 2: Processes and Issues in Human Geography

Option B: Sustainable Settlements
Option D: Tourism

A2 3: Decision Making

This is a 90-minute paper in which students deal with a real-world scenario. Students are required to assess a case study through a wide range of resources, write a report and to adopt a role in a planning decision.

Examinations:

Students will be assessed in three examinations at AS (40% of their overall A-level) and three examinations at A2 (60% of their overall A-level).