‘The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.’
Barack Obama

Our curriculum vision

Our aim is to inspire pupils’ curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, to provoke and provide answers to questions about our planet. Pupils are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge, including human and physical processes that interconnect places, people and the environment and cause them to change over time. In addition, pupils need to reflect on their place in a diversely contested world and their responsibilities locally, nationally, and internationally. We aim to develop knowledge and skills that enable pupils to understand and question geographical issues. These skills are also transferable to other curriculum areas and can be used to promote their spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development.

Year 9

In Year 9, students complete their study of the National Curriculum for Key Stage Three in Geography in our carefully sequenced curriculum that builds on the 4 areas of conceptual knowledge: locational, place, human and physical geography, and fieldwork.

Across Year 9, students build on their Year 7 and 8 study looking at issues of population growth in the UK and The Gambia and then developing their understanding of the value of remarkable rainforest environments. A detailed exploration of the unique human and physical geography of Russia is followed by close study of the impact of globalisation and development on Uganda and finally a reinforcement of key geographical skills before GCSE study begins. By the end of the Key Stage, students are fully equipped to embark on successful study of Geography at GCSE.

Years 10 and 11

Choosing Geography for GCSE means students can build on their knowledge from their Key Stage 3 study with an engaging real-world focus on the issues and topics that are in the public eye daily. We study these complex issues locally, nationally, and internationally, enabling students to identify with and understand these problems on every human scale.

As well as engaging with the major issues of our time, students will develop geographical skills throughout the course including map interpretation, graph interpretation, problem solving, data handling and mathematical and statistical skills. Students will take part in a variety of decision-making exercises, role plays and simulations as well as vital fieldwork, which is an important part of the course and enables us to conduct interesting trips and visits, not least in recent years to Iceland!
In terms of assessment, the 3 exams involve a range of question types, including multiple choice, short answer, calculations, and extended writing questions. In addition, students are required to apply their knowledge to an unseen situation and choose one of three decisions assessed through an extended answer.

How to find out more

Year 9:

www.gapminder.org

www.walkingtheamazon.com

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zrw76sg

CGP KS3 Knowledge Organiser: https://www.cgpbooks.co.uk/secondary-books/ks3/humanities/geography/gno31-new-ks3-geography-knowledge-organiser

Progress in Geography KS3 by David Gardner et al.  Hodder Education.  ISBN 978-1-510-42800-3

Year 10&11:

Edexcel Specification B: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-b-2016.html

Any Edexcel syllabus B grades 9 – 1 Revision Guide

GCSE Geography Edexcel B. Series Editor Bob Digby.  OUP Oxford.  ISBN 978-0-19-836657-7

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zsytxsg

www.gapminder.org

Be ambitious: Engage with the Super Curriculum