Curriculum
Intent:
Geography at Rainford will teach young people about the world and the impact that they have on the environment. Students will develop an understanding of the interactions between people and their varied environments, understanding how physical and human geography are interconnected.
As a keystone of the curriculum, we will develop critical and discerning students who appreciate their role as global citizens, making positive contributions and a difference in the world, underpinned by the key principles of sustainability and social and economic equality both locally and internationally.
We also aim to develop transferable, geographical skills that can be used across the curriculum in support of its facilitating and enabling profile for academic study, as well as developing critical and resilient learners with greater interdependence and self-motivation.
Implementation:
Development of an engaging and contemporary curriculum will enable students to develop a broad geographical knowledge on a range of key principles in geography as well as the challenges posed by key global issues for the 21st century. This will also include opportunities to cover content that is reactive to current affairs and geographical events that occur that are relevant to the curriculum.
In addition to developing an engaging curriculum, the Geography team will use a range of innovative and imaginative teaching and learning strategies to stimulate students and foster enthusiasm and passion for the subject. The department will use knowledge organisers, regular reading homeworks and extension tasks and activities to engage students and develop knowledge and understanding.
Through access to practical opportunities to learning, we will enable students to develop original lines of enquiry and provide opportunities for all students to experience an enriched and immersive curriculum through project work and fieldwork opportunities.
A 7-year assessment journey will enable students to develop the knowledge and skills required for success in terminal examinations at GCSE and A-Level. In addition to formal examinations, we will use a range of day-to-day and periodic assessments to embed understanding and develop the application of subject specific skills. Transitional assessments from each year group will reflect content delivered and co-ordinated with clear progression and continuity throughout the Key Stages.
Impact:
We want to ensure that students make outstanding progress relative to their starting points and are able to attain strongly in their KS4 and KS5 examinations. Moreover, students work will be high quality reflecting their application of skills and knowledge.
Students should leave the Geography department at Rainford with an understanding of their roles and responsibilities as global citizens and a willingness to contribute to the wider community. In addition, students should be equipped with a range of transferable skills for academic study but also provides them with a competitive edge in the employment market and future careers.
Possible careers and opportunities
‘Geography is the subject that holds the key for our future’. This quote encapsulates the importance of Geography in the 21st century. Students will gain a detailed understanding of the interactions between people and the environment and the impact on the planet. More importantly, students will gain an understanding of sustainable development for an equitable future for the planet. As a facilitating subject, Geography provides students with a range of skills for both academic study and employment. These include literacy, numeracy, problem solving, decision-making, presentation and analytical skills. All skills that are well suited for a host of careers including international development, environmental management, urban planning, hazard management, sustainable development, journalism, finance and accountancy and police and civil service.
Facilities
4 dedicated Geography rooms in the new block between East Block and the Sixth Form College.
Support
As a department we offer various levels of support to pupils including 1-to-1 intervention, after-school revision classes and holiday sessions to prepare pupils for their GCSE and A Level examinations. In addition, all key information resources and Knowledge Organisers are available via Google Classroom to support your child’s learning.
Extra-Curricular
Various opportunities are available for students to pursue their interests within Geography. These include fieldwork opportunities both within the school grounds and visits to Ainsdale Sand Dunes, Morecambe Bay and Liverpool ONE for examination classes. We will also establishing an Eco-schools group with an aim to empower the student body to create a more sustainable school and college.
To download subject overviews please follow the link/s below: