How is this subject assessed:

We assess students’ ability over time, with improvement in mind to ensure that students feel that assessment is a celebration of success and not a frightening prospect in the classroom as we advocate maximum effort and deep thinking above all else.

Students complete formal Pre-Public Examinations as part of the whole-school Pre-Public Examination timetable. In addition to these summative assessments, students regularly complete a wide variety of formative assessments to develop their ability to recall and apply knowledge accordingly, touching on topics of the past, present and future. This is done both inside and outside of lesson through low-stakes quizzes and Seneca retrieval.

Students receive feedback once per half term through the marking of one Quality Marked Piece within their book, in addition to regular in class live marking and verbal questioning. At Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students also receive written feedback to exam questions carried out as part of homework.

How does this subject fulfil SMSC needs

Social: Geography introduces students to the diversity of cultures, societies, and communities around the world. Through a Hatcham curriculum that studies different countries and regions students develop an understanding and appreciation of social diversity. Furthermore the use of fieldwork encourages students to engage with their local communities, fostering a sense of social responsibility.

Moral: Moral issues are a vital part of many of the topics covered in Geography. Hatcham Geography Curriculum aims to raise awareness about environmental issues and ethical dilemmas

related to resource use, climate change and conservation. It encourages students to think about their moral responsibilities toward the planet and future generations. Furthermore our exploration of issues related to social justice, such as inequality, poverty, and human rights violations encourages students to think critically about these issues.

Spiritual: The study of Geography is promoting a sense of wonder and fascination with the physical and human world. An understanding of scale is an important aspect of Geography and how small changes in climate can have far-reaching consequences. Pupils develop an understanding that all life is linked together and create the processes that make Earth the only known inhabited planet. Pupils reflect on the long and short term impacts noting the rights and wrongs linking into the value of justice. The value of stewardship is covered looking at reduce, reuse and recycle.

Cultural: Geography at Hatcham promotes an understanding of different cultures, traditions, and languages. It encourages students to appreciate and respect cultural diversity, which is essential for their cultural development. Geography often involves the study of historical sites, monuments, and the impact of human activities on landscapes. This intends to help students connect with their own cultural heritage and history.

How does the subject challenge more able pupils and High Prior Attainers?

The Geography curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of all students so they develop their knowledge, skills and abilities in Geography. Geography teachers at Hatcham utilise a wide range of learning approaches in the subject to set suitable learning challenges, respond to students’ diverse needs and overcome potential barriers to learning.

All teachers within the department are expected to have sufficiently high expectations for all learners, with this regularly monitored through Quality Assurance by the Head of Department. This is undertaken through lesson scans, work scrutiny and termly student voice.

Students are challenged regularly and are encouraged to consider some of the big geographical ideas though the use of NEXT and THEN tasks in all lessons.

What provision is made for pupils with SEND?

Teaching within the Geography department at Hatcham consistently aims to avoid presenting pupils with SEND with an oversimplified and dull Geography. Instead, they are provided a rich Geography curriculum that excites, engages and includes all students. Unnecessarily complex geographical terminology is stripped back to ensure an understanding that enables SEND students to access the curriculum.

Quality first teaching ensures SEND pupils receive wave one interventions in class. This may include scaffolded work, differentiated delivery, all pupils set appropriately challenging targets through visual cues, structured routines and writing frames. Written and spoken instructions are presented in a way that enables all pupils to access the curriculum.

Enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities

Students are provided with a range of compulsory and non-compulsory trips. At GCSE students visits Seaford on the south-coast and Stratford as part of two days of fieldwork, whilst A Level students

visit Southwold in Norfolk for three days. A Level students additionally at Hatcham visit the Migration Museum, Museum of London Docklands and Queen Mary University of London.

At Key Stage 3 fieldwork opportunities have been embedded into the curriculum, whilst regular competitions at this Key Stage aims to foster a passion and love of Geography.

GCSE Booster Club occurs weekly at lunchtime, with this an opportunity to recap, revise or catch up with the GCSE Geography course through a range of subject knowledge-based activities and exam technique practice. These lunchtime sessions involve exam practice, providing time to talk through how to approach each question and how to formulate the best answers.