ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE
MAGHERA
Geography
Welcome To The Geography Department
Geography is all around us.
It is topical, relevant and at the leading edge of technology. Geography helps us make sense of the world we live in.
In short, Geography is a vital subject in the twenty-first century.
Geography will give you a fascinating insight into how human and physical processes interact. Global population continues to grow, placing ever greater demands on Earth and its systems.
People and places are fascinating; Geography helps you to understand what makes them so.
Geography Department: Aims
We as a department aim to:
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The Geography Department in St. Patrick’s College is an enthusiastic and committed team who strive to provide a curriculum which attempts to stimulate and motivate pupils in their charge.
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Geography in the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum helps pupils in the College to develop as individuals, as contributors to society and as contributors to the economy and environment and this is reflected in our schemes of work.
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Developing young people as individuals;
Helping pupils explore their sense of place and belonging to their own locality and how they interact with the wider world, enables pupils to develop an appreciation for physical and human diversity and gain some understanding of the needs and views of others. -
Developing young people as contributors to society;
Giving pupils a sense of themselves and how they can relate to one another and their environments, makes them aware of values and lifestyles that are different from their own and helps them make reasoned judgements in relation to different issues. -
Developing young people as contributors to the economy and environment;
Giving pupils an awareness of our place in a changing economy and how we interact with our environment enhances their potential to operate effectively and responsibly in a changing world.
Geography Department:
Subject Overview
Key Stage 3
Geography is taught to all pupils in years 8, 9 and 10 two periods per week. Pupils study aspects of the physical and human landscape and the relationships between people and their environments. Students engage in active and interesting lessons that encourage and develop independent learning but also build transferable skills such as effective communication and working with others.
Year 8: Topics within Year 8 are based within a Northern Ireland and UK context, allowing pupils to become familiar with the geography of their local surroundings. Topics studied include:
* Continents and Oceans
* Map work and Map Skills
* Ireland
* Geology
* Weather
* Settlement.
Year 9: Topics within Year 9 are based within a European Context. Topics studied include:
* Water
* Population
* Coasts.
* Weathering and Limestone
* European Union
Year 10: Topics within Year 10 are based within a global context. Topics studied include:
*Volcanoes & Earthquakes
* Tropical Rainforests
* Development, Aid & Trade
*Climate Change
Pupils in Year 10 have the opportunity to participate in W5’s ‘Seismic Skyscrapers’ event to aid their understanding of Earthquakes.
Key Stage 4
The CCEA GCSE Geography specification gives students a fascinating insight into how human and physical processes interact. Students develop their understanding of how geographical concepts affect our changing world. They examine how the growing worldwide population increases the demand on Earth’s systems. Students also develop as global citizens and recognise how they can contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future.
All units are externally assessed and cover a range of topics, including population and migration, contrasts in world development, climate change and the restless Earth. Students develop key transferable skills, such as data handling and analysis, self-management and problem solving.
Students’ learning extends beyond the classroom; they take part in fieldwork to collect primary data. They then present and analyse results, draw conclusions and reflect critically on the process.
The specification has three units:
Unit 1 (Year 11): Understanding Our Natural World – 40% of the final grade
The four compulsory themes include:
• Theme A: River Environments
• Theme B: Coastal Environments
• Theme C: Our Changing Weather and Climate
• Theme D: The Restless Earth
Unit 2 (Year 12): Living in Our World – 40% of the final grade
The four compulsory themes include:
• Theme A: Population and Migration
• Theme B: Changing Urban Areas
• Theme C: Contrasts in World Development
• Theme D: Managing Our Environment
Unit 3 (Year 12): Fieldwork – 20% of the final grade.
The fieldwork will be based around a river study which takes place in year 11 with the data analysed and interpreted at the beginning of year 12.
CCEA GCSE Geography Specification
Key Stage 5
AS Level
To study CCEA Geography at Advanced level it is recommended that students have a B grade in Geography, English and Maths at GCSE Level:
AS Unit One: Physical Geography
The three compulsory units include:
The Fluvial Environment (Rivers)
Ecosystems
Atmosphere and Weather.
AS Unit Two: Human Geography
The three compulsory units include:
Population
Settlement
Development.
AS Unit Three: Fieldwork skills and techniques in Geography
This unit is divided into two sections:
Section A – Fieldwork skills
Section B – Geographical Skills
A2 Level
Unit A2 1: Physical Processes, Landforms and Management
In this unit, students choose two options from the four available.
Option A: Plate Tectonics – Theory and Outcomes
Option B: Tropical Ecosystems – Nature and Sustainability
Option C: Dynamic Coastal Environments
Option D: Climate Change – Past and Present.
Unit A2 2: Processes and Issues in Human Geography
In this unit, students choose two options from the four available.
Option A: Cultural Geography
Option B: Planning for Sustainable Settlements
Option C: Ethnic Diversity
Option D: Tourism
Unit A2 3: Decision Making in Geography
In this unit, students develop decision-making skills in a real-world scenario.
Geography Department: Careers
Jobs directly related to Geography:
• Cartographer
• Commercial/residential surveyor
• Environmental consultant
• Geographical information systems officer
• Planning and development surveyor
• Secondary school teacher
• Town planner
Jobs where Geography would be useful:
• International aid/development worker
• Landscape architect
• Logistics and distribution manager
• Market researcher
• Nature conservation officer
• Sustainability consultant
• Tourism officer
• Transport planner
Geography Department:
Educational Visits & Trips
Geography Department: Gallery
