Overview 

The Geography curriculum enables students to develop a strong understanding of the world and their place within it. Students explore a range of physical and human geography topics, learning about places, environments, people and the processes that shape our planet. Lessons encourage curiosity, critical thinking and an appreciation of the diverse world in which we live. Through engaging case studies, geographical enquiry, fieldwork and map skills, students develop the knowledge and skills needed for future study and informed citizenship. 

Curriculum Intent 

The department aims to: 

• Develop students' understanding of physical and human geography at local, national and global scales.  

• Build strong geographical knowledge alongside essential enquiry and fieldwork skills.  

• Encourage curiosity about the world and an understanding of contemporary geographical issues.  

• Foster independent thinking, resilience and confidence when investigating geographical questions.  

• Equip students with the knowledge and skills needed for future success at GCSE and beyond. 

Key knowledge includes: 

• Physical processes including weather, ecosystems, tectonics, rivers and coasts. 

• Human geography including population, settlements, development and urbanisation. 

• The relationship between people and the environment.  

• Place knowledge of the UK and a range of international locations.  

• Geographical vocabulary, concepts and case studies.  

Key skills include: 

• Using and interpreting maps, atlases, graphs and geographical data.  

• Collecting, presenting and analysing geographical information.  

• Conducting geographical enquiries and fieldwork investigations.  

• Interpreting photographs, satellite images and GIS where appropriate.  

• Drawing conclusions and evaluating evidence using geographical understanding. 

Curriculum Implementation 

Teaching Approach 

• Use of the ‘KS3 Geography – Heading Towards AQA GCSE’ textbook to provide structured progression throughout Key Stage 3.  

• Lessons incorporate a range of case studies, maps, photographs, data and current geographical examples.  

• Teachers model key geographical concepts and vocabulary before independent application.  

• Regular retrieval practice and low-stakes quizzes help students retain key knowledge.  

• Opportunities for discussion, collaborative learning and independent enquiry are embedded throughout the curriculum.  

• Fieldwork opportunities allow students to apply geographical skills in real-world contexts.  

Sequencing of Learning 

• Learning is carefully sequenced to develop geographical knowledge and skills progressively across Key Stage 3.  

• Topics build from students' local geography towards national and global geographical issues.  

• Key geographical concepts are revisited and developed throughout the curriculum.  

• Skills such as map work, data interpretation, decision-making and extended writing are explicitly taught and regularly practised.  

• Students are prepared with the knowledge and skills required for GCSE Geography.  

Assessment 

• Regular formative assessment through questioning, retrieval activities, quizzes and classwork.  

• End-of-topic assessments covering geographical knowledge, understanding and skills.  

• Opportunities for students to demonstrate extended geographical writing and interpretation of data.  

• Fieldwork assessments where appropriate.  

• Feedback focuses on improving geographical understanding, literacy and application of knowledge.  

Curriculum Impact 

Success is measured through: 

• Student progress in geographical knowledge, understanding and skills.  

• Increasing confidence in applying geographical concepts to unfamiliar situations.  

• High-quality written and verbal geographical responses.  

• Assessment outcomes and progress data.  

• Student voice, demonstrating engagement, curiosity and enjoyment of Geography.  

Examples of impact: 

• Students confidently use geographical vocabulary in both spoken and written work.  

• Students accurately interpret maps, graphs and geographical data.  

• Students explain and evaluate geographical issues using evidence and case studies.  

• Students demonstrate increasing independence when completing geographical enquiries.  

• Students are well prepared for progression to GCSE Geography. 

Curriculum Structure 

Key Stage 3

Year	Topics / Units	Key Knowledge & Skills
7	Introduction to the UK  Tropical Rainforests  The People of the UK  Weather and Climate in the UK  Fantastic Places	Developing map skills, including atlas use, grid references and scale  Understanding physical and human geographical features of the UK and the wider world  Explaining weather, climate and ecosystem processes  Using geographical vocabulary to describe and compare places  Beginning to interpret maps, photographs, graphs and other geographical data
8	Restless Earth  Work, Rest and Play in the UK  Water on the Land  Challenges and Opportunities in the UK  Focus on Africa	Explaining physical processes including earthquakes, volcanoes and river landscapes  Understanding the opportunities and challenges facing places at different scales  Developing fieldwork, map interpretation and data analysis skills  Using geographical evidence to explain patterns, processes and relationships  Writing extended geographical responses using appropriate vocabulary and evidence
9	Our Unequal World  Melting Planet  World Cities  The Coastal Zone  Preparing For GCSEs	Understanding global inequalities and the challenges facing people and environments  Explaining the causes and impacts of climate change and evaluating possible responses  Analysing urbanisation, coastal processes and sustainable management strategies  Applying geographical knowledge to interpret a range of maps, graphs, photographs and data  Developing independent enquiry, decision-making and evaluative writing in preparation for GCSE Geography

Enrichment