What will students be studying in Geography this year?
In Year 10, students will be starting the GCSE course by covering topics from both the Natural World and People and Society papers including; Global Hazards, Changing Climate, Sustaining Ecosystems and Dynamic Development. In the Summer term students will start the topic Distinctive Landscapes and attend a fieldtrip to Reculver in Kent to carry out fieldwork which will form the basis of an examination question in their Natural World paper.
In Year 11, students will be finishing the GCSE course by covering the following topics: Urban Futures, Resource Resilience and UK in the 21st Century which will also contain a fieldwork day to East London to look at Olympic Park changes. This will form the basis of an examination question in the People and Society paper.
What are the major assessments this year?
As well as a range of homework tasks students will have topic tests and sit an end of Year practise GCSE examinations.
What will the current performance grade be based on?
Current performance will be based on topic tests and end of Year examinations. These tests provide the strongest evidence of current performance throughout the course and will be graded according to GCSE boundaries.
What should my daughter do if she feels she is struggling in the subject?
Your daughter should look at the extensive support materials on Geography Sharepoint alongside her textbook and discuss issues with her Geography teacher. If further support is needed she may be paired with a student mentor to support her outside of the classroom or asked to attend support sessions run by A level Geographers.
How can I support my daughter in Year 10?
The best way to support your daughter is by talking to her about what she is studying in Geography and about how she is getting on. Students should be encouraged to complete homework in a timely fashion and revise thoroughly for all tests, as these form a major part of your daughter’s current performance. Additional support is available on Sharepoint as well as her textbook, and you should encourage her to look at what is available, including references to revision guides which might be appropriate to the course.
What kind of independent work should my daughter be completing?
The most important work that your daughter can do is to ensure she has a strong grasp of the Geography she is learning. She should keep an organised and up to date file and start a revising for tests as early as possible so that she feels in control.
Who can I contact for further advice and information?
Please feel free to contact the Head of Geography at geography@newsteadwood.co.uk if you have any queries about your daughter’s progress.