4th Form CurriculumThe Fourth Form Geography syllabus reflects the nature of the subject as a whole: it is characterised by variety. Geography is about the study of patterns and the interactions between them: patterns that can be generated naturally and/or by humans. The complexity of these patterns provides both a challenge and a fascination to a geographer: we aim to pass on something of each to the pupils.
The course does include some traditional United Kingdom and world location knowledge but the main focus is the work done on the nature of, and contrasts in, global development. An analysis of what constitutes development, from national wealth to individual freedoms, will be discussed and how the level of development affects the lives of individuals will be exemplified through the study of, for instance, street children in Rio, indigenous AmerIndians in the Amazon and nuclear power workers in Japan. Pupils will be introduced to a variety of transferable skills that they can take with them in their future studies.
The syllabus addresses National Curriculum requirements but they do not dominate. Key Stage 3 attainment targets are considered and pupils are being prepared for Key Stage 4 and beyond. The course builds on what has been done previously in the Foundation, whilst taking account of the fact that our pupils have come from different academic backgrounds. We aim to ensure that each pupil, wherever they have come from and wherever they are going, is a better-informed, global citizen at the end of the year than they were at the start.
In the Fourth Form Geography course we aim to introduce pupils of all abilities to a sense of place: to what makes places different and the relationships human beings have with the place in which they operate. We hope to share with pupils our enthusiasm for the subject, in the hope that they, too, will enjoy it and through it become better prepared to face the global challenges which will be a part of all their futures and thereby enable them to become active participants in twenty-first century decision making.
