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Geography

Curriculum

"Geography is not only up-to-date and relevant, it is one of the most exciting, adventurous and valuable subjects to study today. So many of the world's current problems boil down to geography and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them." (Michael Palin, 2024)

Geography is a broad based subject that will open up options for you in the future. Employers and universities see geography as a robust academic subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding. It links many of your subjects together and applies them in the context of the real world.Ìý

Curriculum Overview

Ìý

ÌýAutumn 1Autumn 2Spring 1Spring 2Summer 1Summer 2
7Citizen Me:
What does it mean to be British: Part 1

Journey to the centre of the Earth:
The Dynamic Earth
How to make an erupting volcano
Weather and climate
Citizen Me:
What does it mean to be British: Part 1

Journey to the centre of the Earth:
The Dynamic Earth
How to make an erupting volcano
Weather and climate
Journeys:
Geographical Map Knowledge – OS Map Skills
The Middle East

Growing:
How do we measure population growth?
Journeys:
Geographical Map Knowledge – OS Map Skills
The Middle East

Growing:
How do we measure population growth?
Water:
Rivers
Glacial Environments
Flooding
Tsunamis
Water Pollution
Coral Reefs
Water:
Rivers
Glacial Environments
Flooding
Tsunamis
Water Pollution
Coral Reefs
8Grand Designs:
Settlement, Urbanisation and regeneration

Coming and Going:
What is a country
Map Skills
Country project
Refugees
International migration

India:
India- physical and human geography
Grand Designs:
Settlement, Urbanisation and regeneration

Coming and Going:
What is a country
Map Skills
Country project
Refugees
International migration
India:
India- physical and human geography
India:
India- physical and human geography
Coasts:
Physical processes, weathering, erosion, transport, and deposition.
Coasts:
Physical processes, weathering, erosion, transport, and deposition.
9Whose Earth Is It Anyway:
The green house effect and climate change
Biomes
Tropical Storms
Whose Earth Is It Anyway:
Development
Local environment investigation
Africa
Careers/Made in China:
Climate
Mountains, Cities and Rivers
Three Gorges
China’s Population
One Child Policy
China’s GDP and GNI
Careers/Made in China:
Sectors of Economy
China and Tourism
China’s trade
Transnational Corporations
China as a superpower
America:
Physical Geography
Extreme Weather
Britain:
Economy
Regeneration
HS2
10The living world:
Ecosystems and biomes
Hot deserts
Case studies
The changing economic world:
Development
Nigeria
The United Kingdom
Urban issues and challenges:
Global urbanisation
Case study: Rio De Janeiro
UK urbanisation
Case study: Birmingham
Sustainable development
Urban issues and challenges:
Global urbanisation
Case study: Rio De Janeiro
UK urbanisation
Case study: Birmingham
Sustainable development
Physical landscapes of the UK (Rivers& Coasts):
River landscapes
Case studies: The river Thames flood
Coastal landscapes
Case studies: Swanage and Lyme Regis
Physical Fieldwork:
To investigate the change in river characteristics as it moves downstream.
11Urban issues and challenges:
Global urbanisation
Case study: Rio De Janeiro
UK urbanisation
Case study: Birmingham
Sustainable development
The changing economic world (2024-25):
Development
Nigeria
The United Kingdom
The challenges of resource management
(2024-25):
Resources
Energy in the UK
Case study: Natural gas from the Amazon.
Pre-release and RevisionExam practice and revisionÌý
12Pathway A: Coastal systems (Paper 1) Enquiry question 1 and 2.

Pathway B: Changing spaces and making places.
Pathway A: Coastal systems (Paper 1) Enquiry question 3 and 4.

Pathway B: Changing spaces and making places.
Pathway A: Earth life support systems: Enquiry questions 1 and 2. (Paper 1)

Pathway B: Hazardous earth Enquiry questions 1 and 2. (Paper 3)
Pathway A: Earth life support systems: Enquiry questions 3 and 4. (Paper 1)

Pathway B: Hazardous earth Enquiry questions 3 and 4. (Paper 3)
Pathway A: Earth life support systems: Enquiry questions 3 and 4. (Paper 1)

Pathway B: Hazardous earth Enquiry questions 3 and 4. (Paper 3)
Non-Examined Assessment (Section A & B)
13Pathway A: Exploring oceans (Geographical debates).

Pathway B: Global migration

Non-Examined Assessment (Section C & D)
Pathway A: Exploring oceans (Geographical debates).

Pathway B: Human rights

Non-Examined
Assessment (Section D&E)
Pathway A: Exploring oceans (Geographical debates)

Pathway B: Human rights
Exam practice and revisionExam practice and revisionÌý

KS4 COURSE

What is the course about?

  • GSCE Geography is about exploring our world and enquiring about how it works. It is an academically challenging subject that takes commitment from the students that study it.

    Paper 1: Living with the physical environment. ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý (35% of GCSE)

    1. The challenges of natural hazards.
    2. The living world.
    3. Physical landscapes in the UK.

    Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment. ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý (35% of GCSE)

    1. Urban issues and challenges.
    2. The changing economic world.
    3. The challenge of resource management.

    Paper 3: Geographical applications. ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý (30% of GCSE)

    1. Issue evaluation.
    2. Fieldwork.

    The course is assessed by three examination papers which are held in the summer term at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework. Students will be prepared for this through classwork, homework and regular examination question practice.

What can Geography lead to?

Geography is a broad based subject which provides lots of opportunities for future progression. For example, geography is an obvious choice for careers inÌýsustainability and green issues,Ìýurban regeneration,Ìýenergy supply,Ìýretail location, managing the effects ofÌýhazards and climate change.

For careers in the world ofÌýbusiness, an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career inÌýlaw,Ìýhuman rights,Ìýinternational relationsÌýorÌýwelfare, then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as:ÌýHow do we measure development?ÌýWhat are the consequences of migration on societies?Ìý

If you are working towards a future course inÌýmedicineÌýorÌýveterinary medicineÌýthen geography is a good choice to give your A Level options the breadth that universities seek, as you will gain a clear understanding of how the environment affects health and survival of people, animals and ecosystems as well as enhancing your skills of writing essays and extended reports. (RGS, 2024)

How will I be assessed?

Students will sit 3 written examinations which are all written and are held at the end of Year 11. There is no coursework or controlled assessments. The content for the examinations can be seen above in the section what is the course about?

What skills are required?

An ideal Geography students will be able to use a map, interpret graphs and diagrams, be able to analyse data and problem solve. You will also need to be able to independently learn, have high quality written communication skills and be able to use sophisticated vocabulary. If you are worried that you only have some of them, don’t worry. As we will develop these further in KS4.

Mr S Doherty

Head of Geography

I studied for an undergraduate degree in Geography at Plymouth University before completing a PGCE at UCL. I began teaching in 2015 and have been the Head of Department since 2022.