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Geography

Our program is designed to foster a deep understanding of the past, a broad knowledge of global geography, and an appreciation for the complexities of human beliefs and values.

In geography, students will explore the interconnectedness of the world, investigating natural landscapes, human societies, and the challenges facing our planet.

Our curriculum encourages critical thinking, empathy, and an appreciation for cultural diversity. By engaging with these subjects, students will develop a well-rounded perspective, cultivate analytical skills, and become active global citizens who can navigate the complexities of our interconnected world. Join us on this exciting intellectual journey, where the humanities unlock a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit.

What makes a good student of Individuals and Societies?

Demonstrates a genuine curiosity and interest in exploring the complexities of Geography.
Possesses strong critical thinking and analytical skills, able to examine and evaluate different perspectives.
Shows excellent research skills, utilizing diverse sources and conducting independent inquiries.
Exhibits effective communication skills, both oral and written to express ideas and arguments coherently.
Demonstrates an understanding of cause-and-effect relationships, patterns, and connections in historical and geographical contexts.
Shows empathy and respect for diverse cultures, beliefs, and values, fostering an appreciation for global citizenship.
Exhibits strong organizational skills, effectively managing research projects, assignments, and deadlines.
Demonstrates the ability to interpret and analyse maps, charts, and other geographical data.
Displays an awareness of ethical considerations, demonstrating empathy, and engaging in discussions about moral dilemmas.
Shows an active engagement in classroom discussions, asking insightful questions and participating constructively.

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Curriculum Journey

Year 7 students will learn about the following:

Where are we? The United Kingdom
Fantastic Places and where to find them! The skills of a Geographer
What is weather and climate?
Are we warming up? Climate Change
Can we ever know enough about earthquakes and volcanoes to live safely?
How is Asia being transformed?

Year 8 students will learn about the following:

What are the challenges of living in a coastal environment?
One Planet – how are populations changing?
Why is the Middle East an important region?
What are the challenges and opportunities facing Africa?
How is the world connected?
How does ice change the world?

Year 9 students will learn about the following:

Climate Change: An introduction to ecosystems
Why is it important to protect our rainforests?
How have natural and human processes shaped the desert?
Is the world running out of resources?
Water, water everywhere! But is it in the right place?
River Landscapes in the UK

Teaching Hours: 3 hours per fortnight

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

Exam Board – AQA

What is the course?

The course is for students who are interested in the world around them, investigating issues concerning people, places and environments.

What will I be taught?

You will be taught a variety of skills related to the subject. These include data interpretation, cartographic skills and the evaluation of material. You will follow an issues-based approach to Geography.

Which units will I study?

Paper 1 - Living with the physical environment

Challenge of natural environments
The living world
Physical landscapes in the UK

Paper 2 - Challenges in the human environment

Urban issues and challenges
The changing economic world
The challenge of resource management

Paper 3 - Geographical applications

Issue evaluation
Fieldwork

Is there a practical element?

Students undertake two days fieldwork. Students will visit the coast to study coastal management, a river in Kent to study changes in river characteristics and a major town to look at the impacts of urbanisation and economic growth.

What skills will I learn?

You will learn to use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course. These include collecting, presenting, interpreting and evaluating your findings in different ways and identifying and developing the links between different parts of the subject.

What would be expected of me?

It will be expected that you have a high level of commitment to the course and accept that individual study will need to take place. High standards will be expected at all times and all deadlines must be met.

Is there coursework involved in this subject?

There is no written coursework in the Geography GCSE, however in Paper 3 you will be expected to use your fieldwork experience to respond to questions in an examination environment on aspects such as methods, presentation, analysis and evaluating outcomes.

How will I be assessed?

There are three written examination papers: Paper 1 - 1 hour 30 mins (35% of GCSE) Paper 2 - 1 hour 30 mins (35% of GCSE) Paper 3 - 1 hour 30 mins (30% of GCSE)

What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of the course?

Geography provides an excellent basis to pursue either work or study. The wide range of skills acquired can be applied to a diverse range of careers. These include the leisure and tourism industry, the armed forces, marketing, transport and nature conservation or any management role. Geography can be studied at A level and lead to studies at university.

Teaching Hours: 5 hours per fortnight

Enrichment and Extra-Curricular

To extend learning beyond the classroom, you should consider doing some of the following tasks:

Visiting local geographical sites, nature reserves, national parks or urban areas can provide hands-on learning experiences.
Engaging with geocaching combines outdoor adventure with learning about coordinates, maps and geographical navigation.
Travelling to foreign places provides first hand experiences of different cultures, landscapes and geographical features.
Joining clubs focused on hiking, birdwatching or nature exploration fosters a deeper connection with physical geography and eco-systems.
Volunteering with organisations focused on conservation, wildlife protection, or sustainable development helps apply geographical knowledge to real world issues.

You can also extend your learning through reading. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

Book title	Book author
The Power of Geography	Tim Marshall
The Map Makers	Tamzin Merchant
Blood River	Tim Butcher
The Little Coffee Shop of Kabul	Deborah Rodriguez
Worth Dying For: The Power of Flags	Tim Marshall
Life Stories	David Attenborough
A Primate’s Memoir: Love, Death and Baboons in East Africa	Robert Sapolsky
Off the Map: Lost Spaces, Secret Cities and Other Inscrutable Geographies	Alastair Bonnett
I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban	Malala Yousafzai
The Kite Runner	Khaled Housseini