Geography

Geography is the study of space and place - recognising the great differences in cultures, economies, landscapes and environments across the world, and exploring the links between them. The subject of geography occupies a distinctive place in the world of learning for students at all key stages, highlighting the complex relationship between people, places and the environment.

Geography at Teesdale Academy is an immersive experience, exposing students to a wide range of fascinating topics from the fragility of the earth's landscape to the growing trends of urbanisation around the world. The geography department’s goal is to start you on a journey of discovery of the world around us, equipping students with a wide range of transferrable skills alongside the academic qualifications you will gain.

Studying geography at Teesdale Academy helps students to be more socially and environmentally sensitive, better informed, and more responsible as citizens and students. From the classroom, students will go on a voyage of discovery through continents, countries and cities gaining a greater awareness of the captivating World around us.

Curriculum information:

Year	Autumn	Spring	Summer
7	Introduction to Fantastic Places – students travel the World in this topic immersing themselves in the wonders of the World Weather and Climate – students begin to understand the weather around us	Population and Migration – 7.5billion and growing! Urban Environments – a city break like no other	Ecosystems – the fantastic biomes around the World International Development – why and how the World is divided
8	An introduction to geology and tectonics Weather hazards and climate change - discover the effects of the atmosphere on the Earth	Rivers - explore the fluvial processes that interact with the human World. Economic Activity - delve into the history of your local area/economy	Coasts - take a trip to the beach to see the physical processes that operate Resources - 9 billion by 2050. How will the World’s resources cope?
9	An introduction to Wonderful Biomes - take a journey deep into the tropical rainforest Extreme Environments - investigate the extreme nature of the World	Resources - 9 billion by 2050. How will the World’s resources cope? (2021-2022 only) Dangers in the Atmosphere - study the tropical storms affecting parts of the World.	LIC Urban World - explore the opportunities and challenges that city life presents HIC Urban World - explore the opportunities and challenges that city life presents
10	The Challenge of Natural Hazards – understand how natural hazards pose a major threat to people and property	The Changing Economic World – learn about the global variations in economic development and quality of life.	The Living World – explore the biotic and abiotic features that make up our planet Resource Management – understand the fundamental aspects of human life: food, water and energy
11	Physical Landscapes in the UK – review the diverse nature of the UK. Application of a range of geographical skills in a range of different contexts. The Changing Economic/ Urban World – learn about the global variations in economic development and urbanization.	Geographical Applications – hone your craft as a geographer with a review of the skills gained in geography and applying your knowledge to real-life events Physical – Our hazardous planet, from tectonics, atmospheric to climate hazards.

A-level
Year 12	Physical – exploring our hazardous world from wildfires, atmospheric hazards to tectonic hazards. Physical – Using a systems approach to explore coastal environments. Human –explore the relationships between population health, well-being, economic and development in the population and environment unit. Human – explore economic, political, and social changes within the global systems and governance unit.
Year 13	Physical – Investigating the interdependent/ changing relationship between carbon, water and human actions. Human - Changing places focuses on people's engagement with places, their experience of them and the qualities they ascribe to them. Independent fieldwork

Geography is fun, engaging and educating. It’s not just about maps and places, it’s about the present and the past, what’s in it and how we impact it all.

Year 8 student

People should study geography because it affects our life, every day, now and in the future; understanding geography ensures we can protect our planet.

Year 10 student