Geography

In each year of 7, 8 and 9, the key stage 3 geography curriculum aims to:

• Develop understanding of the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the UK and the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time

• Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places and regions, including their defining physical and human characteristics and relating these to the understanding of actions and processes

• Develop competency to interpret and analyse geographical information from a range of sources, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and to communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

• Develop competency in the geographical skills needed to collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepens understanding of geographical processes

• At the end of each year of study, the curriculum is designed to encourage application of skills and knowledge learned throughout the year to new place contexts, through a wider regional study (Y7 Asia, Y8 Africa, Y9 Middle East)

In years 10 and 11, the geography curriculum follows the Edexcel B GCSE course, chosen because of relevant and interesting human and physical topics which build effectively on the foundation curriculum of key stage 3.

The GCSE course deepens understanding of geographical processes, illuminates the impact of change and of complex people-environment interactions, highlights the dynamic links and interrelationships between places and environments at different scales, and develops competence in using a wide range of geographical investigative skills and approaches. The case studies and detailed examples used to teach the course are up-to-date and relevant, and challenge misconceptions and stereotypes.

The key stage 4 course aims to:

• Develop and extend knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes, and of different scales, including global; and of social, political and cultural contexts (know geographical material)

• Gain understanding of the interactions between people and environments, change in places and processes over space and time, and the interrelationship between geographical phenomena at different scales and in different contexts (think like a geographer)

• Develop and extend competence in a range of skills, including those used in fieldwork, in using maps and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and in researching secondary evidence, including digital sources; and develop competence in applying sound enquiry and investigative approaches to questions and hypotheses (study like a geographer)

• Apply geographical knowledge, understanding, skills and approaches appropriately and creatively to real-world contexts, including fieldwork, and to contemporary situations and issues; and develop well-evidenced arguments, drawing on geographical knowledge and understanding (applying geography).

In years 12 and 13, the curriculum follows the Edexcel A Level course, chosen as it offers a broad and balanced geographical experience, and continues to develop the knowledge and understanding from the GCSE course.

The A Level Geography course encourages students to gain enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of achievement as they develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject. The course aims to develop independent thinkers, and informed and engaged citizens, who understand the role and importance of geography as one of the key disciplines relevant to understanding the world’s changing peoples, places and environments. In particular, the course extends the scope and scale of study, the variety of physical, social, economic, cultural and political contexts encountered, the depth of conceptual understanding required, and the range of spatial and temporal scales included.

The aims of the course is to build on prior knowledge and skills to:

• Develop an in-depth understanding of, and be able to analyse the complexity of people–environment interactions at all geographical scales, and appreciate how they underpin understanding of some of the key issues facing the world today

• Gain understanding of specialised concepts, which include the concepts of causality, systems, equilibrium, feedback, inequality, representation, identity, globalisation, interdependence, mitigation and adaptation, sustainability, risk, resilience and thresholds 

• Improve understanding of the ways in which values, attitudes and circumstances have an impact on the relationships between people, place and environment, and develop the knowledge and ability to engage, as citizens, with the questions and issues arising, developing a mature understanding of the nature and limitations of objectivity and the significance of human values and attitudes

• Understand the fundamental role of fieldwork as a tool to understand and generate new knowledge about the real world, and become skilled at planning, undertaking and evaluating fieldwork in appropriate situations and in a rigorous way, recognising both the contributions and limitations of geography to wider understanding.

• Undertake fieldwork that encourages application and evaluation of theory in the real world, with a high degree of responsibility for selecting research questions, applying relevant techniques and skills, and identifying appropriate ways of analysing and communicating findings.

Y7 Curriculum Map 2022/23
Y8 Curriculum Map 2022/23
Y9 Curriculum Map 2022/23
Y10 Curriculum Map 2022/23
Y11 Curriculum Map 2022/23
Y12 Curriculum Map 2022/23

Y13 Curriculum Map 2022/23