Students will investigate Geography through a variety of units across their three years of KS3. Each unit will carefully focus on the following four key themes:
- Physical processes and features
- Geographical skills
- Human processes and features
- Place/locational knowledge
Year 7:
Students commence with a study of the globe where they will sharpen their knowledge of various places around the world, beginning to understand the multifaceted nature of geography as a subject. Map Skills will then be taught, arming students with the key skills that will support them in their journey of thinking geographically. Introduction to Global Climate (new): This unit introduces students to the greenhouse effect and enhanced greenhouse effect. This is reviewed in year 9 with further depth. Students will consider the concept of ‘place’ which is a key theme that runs throughout the geography curriculum. Year 7 then move onto Development and the World of Work, learning how inequality is prevalent throughout the world, whilst also learning about strategies being used to tackle this issue; development and tackling inequality are topics that underpin much of their Geography study in KS3, 4 and 5. These units will include a fieldwork visit to Cadbury World to explore the role of international trade and trans-national corporations. Following this they begin a unit on Rivers where students develop an understanding of the fundamentals of physical Geography, focusing students upon the natural landscape and humankind’s continuous battle against nature. Furthermore, a unit on the Middle East will be taught, tackling any misconceptions about the region that pupils may hold, informing them about this fascinating and diverse global region. Finally, students complete the year by doing an infiltration study, linking to our Rivers topic, where they will conduct geographical research, learning critical thinking and analytical skills.
Year 8:
In year 8, students will deepen their geographical knowledge, commencing the year by learning about Population & Migration, exploring the changing global demographic trends, in a world that is today home to almost 8 billion people. Coasts is the next unit that the year 8’s undertake, investigating the processes and the features they form. A focus is given to coastal erosion and management, linked to named examples in the UK. Ecosystems follows on from Coasts where students will explore the climatic factors that influence key ecosystems and environments globally, with a special focus on the desert and rainforest. Following on is a unit on Tectonic hazards, learning about the extreme natural events such as earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. Year 8 will then continue with Weather and Climate, where students will understand the factors that influence the weather and how climate change is having an impact globally. This unit will include on site fieldwork to investigate micro-climates.
The final unit in Year 8 focuses on the Geography of Africa, examining different case studies, exploring how historical factors such as colonialism impacted African countries in the past, and how its effects are still seen in many African countries today. Additionally, the year 8’s will also learn about Africa’s physical characteristics, various cultures and the continents sprawling cities through engaging with a myriad of case studies.
There may also be potential for a fieldwork trip to the coast in the spring term, linking to prior knowledge from the year.
Year 9:
Year 9 begin the year by focusing on the contemporary Geographical issue of Climate Change. They will explore the causes, evidence for, and the impacts of climate change, linking this to a variety of named places on a local, national and global level. They will then consider the options that we face in reducing our carbon footprints and adapting to life in a changing world. Students then move on to Life in a Newly Emerging Economy, drawing on their understanding of development to investigate how we can tackle the issues associated with developing countries and rapidly urbanising cities. They will look at the distribution of emerging economies and focus on the processes that occur within these complex locations. The following unit is a new, up to date, Contemporary unit covering a range of topical events/issues that the students should be aware of. Topics will focus on current areas that are in the news and link them to topics we have covered so far in the KS3 curriculum. Following this, students will begin to learn about the Issues of Urbanisation, understanding why factors such as resources, infrastructure and space are important to consider when thinking about the rapidly expanding urban environments from around the globe. Students will then move on to Living World, exploring the major world biomes and focusing on the economic activities in the Amazon Rainforest and Sahara Desert.
Assessment:
Regular teacher assessment will ensure our students are equipped with the skills to achieve well in Geography. All KS3 students will undertake a mid year and end of year formal assessment (outlined in the attached curriculum plan).