Geography is a core subject at the school and is part of the national EBACC reflecting its importance to the wider economy. Geography aims to develop an understanding of the world in students and to provide them with knowledge and skills which will assist them in becoming successful and valuable global citizens.

All of today’s major issues are covered including; Climate Change, the Middle East, Economic and Urban Challenges, Natural Hazards and Physical Landscapes. The subject nurtures enquiring minds through analysis and interpretation and fieldwork provides the opportunity to develop project management skills.

KS3 Curriculum plan/map

The purpose of the KS3 curriculum is multi-dimensional. It provides pupils with an overview of global issues and key transferable skills at the same time providing the foundations of knowledge and understanding for KS4 for those students who select geography as a GCSE

Year 7 topics

• An Urban World
• Climate and Weather
• Map Skills
• World at Risk

Year 8 topics

• Africa, a Diverse Continent
• Tectonic Hazards
• The Middle East
• Globalisation

How are Students assessed at KS3?

The progress of students is continually monitored to ensure early intervention. Formal assessment takes place at the end of each unit and is graded using both ADSM and a GCSE grade against the national guidance. As part of a MAT we benefit from external moderation from our partner secondary schools to support quality assurance and transparency.

KS4 Curriculum plan/map

The following plan reflects the AQA Grade 1-9 GCSE specification 8035:

Year 9

• The Living World
• Urban Issues and Challenges
• Physical Landscapes – Rivers

Year 10

• Physical Landscapes – Coasts
• The Challenge of Natural Hazards
• Geographical Applications

Year 11

• The Changing Economic World
• The Challenge of Resource Management
• Revision

How are students assessed at KS4?

As with KS3 pupils are continually monitored to ensure early intervention. Formal assessment takes place at a mid-point for each unit and upon its completion. Where possible we aim to use the hall for exams so pupils are more familiarised with exam conditions.

Students are aware of their target grades and also create aspiration grades for themselves.

Final examination is through three papers as set out below:

• Paper One: Living with the Physical Environment – 35% of GCSE, 1hour 30 minutes;
• Paper Two: Challenges of the Human Environment – 35% of GCSE, 1 hour 30 minutes;
• Paper Three: Geographical Applications – 30% of GCSE, 1 hour 15 minutes.

Extension Activities / Planned Trips

Currently field trip activity is only available at GCSE and include a local urban based trip and a full day trip to Hornsea in Yorkshire focusing on coastal management.

However we are currently in the process of developing a wider range of field work opportunities for KS3 and KS4.

Careers Information / Next Steps

Geography provides pupils with a range of transferable skills which are extremely valuable to all sectors of the economy. Data analysis, the interpretation of a wide range of evidence and information sources and the ability to be able to apply and evaluate these are key activities for both private and public organisations. These skills allow informed decisions to be made about where and how resources should be allocated either our taxes as regeneration officer in a local authority or which location to invest in for a business looking to expand (Aldi to Toyota). An understanding of the physical landscape, economics, global issues, society and the environment opens too many opportunities to list.

Very geographically focused careers include – planning and civil engineering, research and consultancy, government at all levels, utility companies and environmental management.