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.
Curriculum Overview
| Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 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 | 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 |
| 8 | 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 | 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. |
| 9 | Whose 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 |
| 10 | The 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. |
| 11 | Urban 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 Revision | Exam practice and revision | |
| 12 | Pathway 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) |
| 13 | Pathway 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 revision | Exam practice and revision |
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. (35% of GCSE)
- The challenges of natural hazards.
- The living world.
- Physical landscapes in the UK.
Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment. (35% of GCSE)
- Urban issues and challenges.
- The changing economic world.
- The challenge of resource management.
Paper 3: Geographical applications. (30% of GCSE)
- Issue evaluation.
- 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 in sustainability and green issues, urban regeneration, energy supply, retail location, managing the effects of hazards and climate change.
For careers in the world of business, an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career in law, human rights, international relations or welfare, then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as: How do we measure development? What are the consequences of migration on societies?
If you are working towards a future course in medicine or veterinary medicine then 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
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.
