Geography
What is Geography?
Geography is the study of physical and human processes and how the relationships between these processes can lead to changes on the surface of the earth. Geography is crucial to understanding the world around us, not just looking at what happens but delving deeper to understand why this happens allowing students to make sense of the world around them.
Why do we teach Geography at HAWI?
Geography equips students with the knowledge to think about the world in new ways; recognising human and physical interactions which shape the planet, appreciating different cultures and ways of life, and understanding contemporary human and environmental challenges. Through this powerful academic knowledge, geography at HAWI enables students to engage in debates both local to them and on a global scale. For example, the impact regeneration will have in High Path, the success and failures of the Ultra Low Emission Zone in London, the influence of geology on climatic hazard risk in the UK, and global disparities in wealth and subsequent issues which arise.
How do we teach Geography at HAWI?
The curriculum is split into units which focus on both systematic and regional geography. Systematic geography focuses on processes and theory, whilst regional considers how these processes influence a place. In the topic Gazing at Glaciers students explore how glacial processes influence the characteristics of the Himalayas, an example of how systematic geography (glacial processes) and regional geography (the Himalayas) are taught in a single unit of study.
Interleaved throughout the curriculum are geographical skills such as map reading, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and geographical-data analysis and presentation.
Across the key stages our curriculum is taught using ‘Big Questions’ which students look to answer as their powerful geographical knowledge develops through each unit. These challenging enquiry questions are underpinned by five core concepts (which we call our ‘Big Ideas’). These are: Development, Climate, Human and Physical Interactions, Sustainability, and Geomorphology. These Big Ideas are revisited throughout Key Stage 3 and become increasingly complex and challenging as the curriculum progresses into Key Stage Four. Learning challenges within each lesson work towards answering the Big Questions posed in each unit of work.
How do we make Geography memorable at HAWI?
Alongside geography lessons, the curriculum at HAWI is comprised of many memorable moments which bring the subject to life. These include visits to the River Wandle as part of a local fieldwork study, a trip to the south coast to explore the incredible geography of the Seven Sisters national park, and GCSE fieldwork exploring regeneration in South London and coastal landscapes in Kent. Alongside these excursions, students have the opportunity to meet geography graduates who have made a career from the subject for example in renewable energy, sustainable finance, or international development. There is also optional enrichment in geography in which students engage with current affairs by interrogating news stories, applying their powerful geographical knowledge to better understand the world. Year 9 students also take part in Duke of Edinburgh where they develop their map and navigation skills. In addition, there is an annual cross-Federation Geography Quiz in which students in Year 7 and 8 compete for the honour of being the best geographers in the Federation!
Please click here for Year 7 curriculum guide
Please click here for Year 8 curriculum guide
Please click here for Year 9 curriculum guide
Please click here for Year 10 curriculum guide
Please click here for Year 11 curriculum guide
