Geography

Mrs S Smith-Sergeant - Head of Geography

The Geography Department aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand the issues facing the modern world.

In lessons at Key Stage 3 students study a wide range of geographical topics to help them learn about the world around us. Some topics are fact based – such as traditional geographical themes including plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes. Other topics are issues based, such as research into Child Labour in less economically developed countries.

Throughout Key Stage 3 students are given opportunities to work both independently and in groups. Students are encouraged to carry out research using books, the internet and other media. Students will have the chance to present their work in written and diagram forms, and also to do practical activities in lessons or be involved in role plays allowing students to demonstrate their understanding of geography through the spoken word.

Fieldwork is an integral part of studying geography at Tarleton Academy. In Year 7 students carry out fieldwork within Tarleton Village to develop their investigative skills. In Year 8 students visit Malham Cove to investigate Limestone Features and the impact of Visitor Centres in rural locations. In Year 9 students currently carry out an investigation involving fieldwork to discover whether the Liverpool One development has made Liverpool a better city.

At Key Stage 4 students follow Edexcel Syllabus A for GCSE Geography. This involves students looking at topics including Population Issues, The Wasteful World, Coastal Environments and Tourism. The students final GCSE grade is based on 3 exams that are taken on a modular basis through the course, and also a Controlled Assessment that is completed within lessons. In order to complete the Controlled Assessment students will need to complete some fieldwork. At present students investigate the coastal management and sea defence strategies used along the Sefton and West Lancashire Coast.