We aim to inspire students to have a fascination and curiosity about the world around them with the hope that students use the skills and knowledge they develop to improve the world for generations that follow them.
The discipline of geography includes the fundamental principles of how the world works both in a physical sense and for the human society it sustains. This knowledge teaches students to live, work and succeed all over the world and in any field they choose to enter.
The curriculum will expose students to knowledge about a wide range of places and cultures, as they’re encouraged to make decisions about real world issues, allowing them to gain their own ‘sense of place’ in the world.
Students acquire the key skills of geography; statistical, cartographical, graphical, formulae enquiry and argument using qualitative & quantitative data and developing their literacy skills.
Enrichment
Students will have access to a wide range of enrichment opportunities and experiences. These include:
- Year 7 Bolton Abbey Trip
- Year 8 Malham Cove Trip
- Visits to the Holderness Coast including Flamborough Head and Hornsea to understand UK landscapes and fieldwork
- Visits to Ingleborough Caves
- Visits from ambassadors from the University of Leeds
Assessment
Students in each year group complete an assessment each cycle, Year 10 and 11 also have mocks. Key pieces of work are also identified in the LTPS where feedback will be given to address any misconceptions or gaps.
KS4 Specification
Careers
Careers will be promoted in a range of ways; for example, using Met Office data to present a weather forecast. Our curriculum embeds a variety of career opportunities for students, these include:
- Environmental consultant
- Nature conservation officer
- Social researcher
- Town planner
- Ecologist
- Emergency disaster response teams
Curriculum Overview
| Year | Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 | Cycle 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | How do geographers investigate where we live? Students will build on geographical enquiry and skills, and learn more about the types of Geography. Can the development gap be closed? Students will tackle the concept of development and understand the complexities of things constantly changing. | How are the economies of different countries connected? Students will be introduced to what makes up an economy, trade and globalisation. How does the UK experience mixed weather? Students will be introduced to the principal elements of weather and climate, investigate the UK climate, and carry out fieldwork on the school grounds. | Is there a climate crisis? Students will investigate climate change, causes, effects and responses and be introduced to the concept of sustainability. They will also investigate extreme weather events and their impacts in the UK and globally. |
| Year 8 | How is urbanisation transforming cities? Students will explore the worlds biggest cities and understand why some are growing faster than others and the impacts of growth. There will be a focus on squatter settlements. UK urban futures, can cities become sustainable? Students will explore the impact of urban growth in the UK, they will learn about where to build new houses, traffic congestion and solutions, urban inequality and regeneration, with a focus on sustainable living.
| How do rivers shape the land in Yorkshire? Students will be introduced to concept of fluvial (river) processes of erosion, transportation and deposition and how they shape the landscape, with focus on the River Aire. Can a rivers rage be controlled? Students will explore the reasons for flood hazards and how people respond to these, they will develop their understanding of the challenges of river management. | Why is Haiti so vulnerable to natural hazards? Introduction to natural hazards and Haiti as a multiple hazard location and the issues that make the country so vulnerable. How does the use of glaciated landscapes cause conflict? Students will investigate the processes of erosion, transportation and deposition and its creation of distinctive landforms in the Lake District and how people use the area. Students will understand how human activity can cause conflict and the need for sustainable management of upland areas. |
| Year 9 | How does the physical geography of the Middle East create opportunities and challenges? Students will focus on the landscape of the Middle East, looking at how the geography creates challenges like water scarcity, but also opportunities in the oil industry. Why is economic development within the Middle East uneven? Students will understand the complex nature of contrasting levels of development and the global interest in the region. | What makes Africa a diverse and evolving continent? Students will address and challenge misconceptions about the continent and explore its diversity and links with the wider world. How have physical features affected life in Russia? Students will explore how the physical landscape makes life challenging for the people of Russia but has also provided opportunities. | UK Physical Landscapes How to coastal processes shape the land? How can we protect our coasts? Students will focus on marine and sub-aerial processes between land and sea. They will consider how coastal areas are used by people and explore management strategies. |
| Year 10 | The challenge of natural hazards
| Changing economic world – measuring development
Urban issues and challenges
| UK landscapes – coasts
Familiar fieldwork – trip to Hornsea |
| Year 11 | Physical landscape – rivers
The challenge of resource management and food option
| Changing economic world
| Preparation for GCSE exams Curriculum based on QLA. |