Geography in Year 9 aims to develop students' interest and understanding  of geographical topics and issues using a variety of stimuli including news programmes, documentaries, newspapers, books, articles and internet research. Investigation skills are developed through fieldwork and enquiry. In order  to stretch the students properly and to add greater depth, some aspects of  the GCSE course are started early and are taught at full GCSE standard.

Topics studied include:

Inner City Redevelopment - London Olympics 2012 & Canary Wharf
Students to examine the structure/landuse of a typical British city and in detail analyse the issues of declining inner cities and evaluate generation. Students examine how previous Olympic bids have brought regeneration to declining urban areas and assess the pros and cons of hosting the Olympics.
 
Local Fieldwork Study – Canary Wharf and Stratford Olympic Area
This is a major package of work lasting three to four weeks and is a cross curricular development with the ICT department. During a day field trip to London, the class visits the London Docklands Museum to gather information on how the Docklands have changed over time. In groups students collects primary data in Canary Wharf and Stratford which includes questionnaires, photographs and environmental surveys. Back at school students analyse the data collected to assess whether the Canary Wharf Regeneration Scheme was a success and to what extent the area of Stratford is likely to benefit from the Olympic regeneration scheme.


Population
This topic is taught to GCSE level and gives students a chance to  develop a clear understanding of the population issues of the world.  This includes analysis of how populations change over time (birth rates,  death rates, family sizes), a case study of the UK with reference to  an ageing population and possible future decline, a case study of China  including the One Child Policy and also an extended essay which asks 'Does  the World have a Population Problem?' 

Tropical Rainforests
This topic is taught to GCSE standard and students develop an understanding  of how the ecosystem works including nutrient cycling and bio diversity.  Using the case study of the Carajas region in the Eastern Amazon, we  examine reasons for deforestation and the impact of this on soils,  hydrology, rivers, local and global climate and biodiversity. We also  look towards a more sustainable future and implement GCSE style Sustainable Decision Making Exercise.

Plate Tectonics and Hazard Geography
The theory of Plate Tectonics is revised up to GCSE standard. We then  look at recent disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Kashmir  earthquake in the context of tectonic causes, the natural hazard and  risk management. 

Assessment
One half hour homework is set each week. Throughout the course a key assessment is identified in each topic which is normally an extended  written assignment. These key assessments, together with the one hour  end of year exam, determine the National Curriculum Level awarded to  each student for Geography. The student file of work also needs to  be maintained and presented to a high standard.