Our curriculum aims are to develop our students to know their place in the world, physically, morally and culturally. Students understand their selves and others. They show ability to empathise with the situation of others. Students leave Guilsborough being able to understand how our planet works, along with the risks posed to people and our environment. We are preparing our students to be citizens of the next decade. We provide a stimulating gateway through which to view human, physical and environmental aspects of the subject in order to develop deep knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

 

The Framework of our intent

Our curriculum aims are to develop our students to know their place in the world, physically, morally and culturally. Students understand their selves and others. They show ability to empathise with the situation of others. Students leave Guilsborough being able to understand how our planet works, along with the risks posed to people and our environment. We are preparing our students to be citizens of the next decade. We provide a stimulating gateway through which to view human, physical and environmental aspects of the subject in order to develop deep knowledge and understanding of the world around them. We make use of frameworks provided at KS3 and AQA at KS4 and 5 to build engaging lessons that enthuse students to develop their learning through developing breadth of knowledge, depth of understanding and fluency in a range of geographical skills.

Here are some of the key features you can expect from the Geography department

• United team vision, shared resource development, culture of support and challenge where improvements need to be made
• Developing agreed understanding of frameworks to support teaching to the top/adaptive teaching.
• Strong leadership with very clear vision and excellent work ethic that inspires team members to contribute
• Lessons delivered with parity, so that students all get a similar experience whoever the teachers
• Students are enriched and enthused by the fieldwork opportunities and this has aided their understanding.
• Evidence of independent learning through completed homework menus and online learning supports this view.
• Geography examiners at GCSE and A-level who can share their knowledge and understanding of the exam board, to get the best out of our students.

To do this, we ensure that we quality assure all aspects of teaching and learning as well as moderating and standardising the work of students. We all take our own share in planning across the key stages and share our expert knowledge.

Quite simply, we want to be known for giving students motivation for learning through engaging lessons and opportunities to learn out in the field. Geography without fieldwork is like science without experiments; the ‘field’ is the geographic laboratory where young people experience at first hand landscapes, places, people and issues, and where they can learn and practice geographical skills in a real environment. Above all, fieldwork is enjoyable. (Bland, Chambers, Donert and Thomas, 1996, p.165).

Put simply, we believe that students should be excited to come to their geography lesson and be enthused to learn about the world around them.

 

Guilsborough Academy Vision	How we embed this
We aspire to be our best and to do our best for others	As a team of teachers who work hard to engage our learners. If the staff do our best, we would hope that this is sensed from our students and they too will be their best for themselves and others. This can be transferred through geography to create the best citizens.
We respect ourselves and others	Learning about people and other cultures is at the forefront in geography. Our discussions allow students to be open and have an understanding of each other.
Our learning knows no limits	Within Geography we have our steps to success too allow our students to see exactly where their learning is heading. Students can see what they need to do to be working at the top level, and all students can aspire to that level. Our rich field work at GCSE and A-level allows our students to flourish in their kinaesthetic and visual learning.
We are global citizens ready for the 21st Century	Learning about current issues in our world and the ways in which we can care for our planet are preparing our students for the 21st Century.

Our Geography curriculum journey shows how we develop the skills of our students and the topics the students cover in each year. Click on our learning journey below to view it in more detail.

 

What is Geography like at Guilsborough?

Please watch our short video to see what studying Geography at Guilsborough is like.

I love geography as we get to learn about people we have never seen and places we have never been.

Aimee, Year 9 Student

Geography is so interesting as it is very varied. You can learn about human and physical, geography which helps you to understand the different aspects of the world we live in. My personal favourite topic is hazards, as I love learning about volcanoes and earthquakes.

Kara, Year 12 Student

Geography is great for learning the challenges of today and tomorrow. I like that You can learn about the ominous threat of climate change.

Gabriel, Year 9 Student

Geography is interesting because you get to learn about the planet and the environment around you. We got to investigate microclimates in our school grounds this week

Alfie, Year 7 Student

 

Where will Geography take me past Year 11?

SIXTH FORM

You use Geography in all aspects of your life. Some of you may wish to study Geography further in our sixth form by choosing to study A-level Geography. Click on the link below to find out what studying A-level Geography is like.

A level Geography

We follow the AQA specification which includes the study of human and physical geography and allows students to become very independent by completing their own investigation on a subject of their choice. The course includes compulsory fieldwork. Geography without fieldwork is like science without experiments; the ‘field’ is the geographic laboratory where young people experience at first hand landscapes, places, people and issues, and where they can learn and practice geographical skills in a real environment. Above all, fieldwork is enjoyable. (Bland, Chambers, Donert and Thomas, 1996, p.165).

Geography is also used in many other subjects studied at sixth form and in degrees such at Biology, Maths, Physics, Sociology, Media, Psychology, languages, technology and  Business and Economics.

CAREERS 

When you enter the world of work, whether after Year 11, sixth form or university, you will find that Geography is used in many careers such as;

• International relations
• Engineering
• Tour guides
• Urban planning
• Architecture
• Development

Some of our past students who have studied Geography at A level now have careers in;

• Teaching
• Estate management
• Business and marketing
• Veterinary

The link here will allow you access to further information about geography based careers:

Useful resources to support learning in Geography

These resources are useful for students to help consolidate knowledge learnt in lessons and to aid revision ;