Our KS3 Geography curriculum is diverse, engaging and designed to help students understand their local area alongside national and global issues. Lessons use a wide range of teaching and assessment strategies, including report writing, role play, decision-making tasks, enquiries and fieldwork.

Students study both human and physical geography topics over four hours each fortnight.

Year 7 topics include: sustainability, weather and climate, population and global challenges.

Year 8 topics include: tectonic hazards in Indonesia, development, global biomes and changing landscapes.

A strong practical element is built into the course, with on-site fieldwork opportunities for all students and an annual off-site fieldwork trip to bring learning to life.

Geography is a popular GCSE option, taught over two years by subject specialists. Students develop a range of valuable skills throughout the course, including map skills, enquiry skills and data handling.

The course follows the AQA specification and includes opportunities for local fieldwork in both years. We also offer enrichment trips, currently to Iceland and Catalonia.

Course Content

Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment (35%)

• Natural hazards
• Physical landscapes in the UK
• The living world

Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment (35%)

• Urban issues and challenges
• The changing economic world
• Resource management

Paper 3: Geographical Applications (30%)

• Fieldwork and geographical skills
• Issue evaluation using a pre-release booklet studied in class

Students complete fieldwork opportunities each year to support their learning and prepare for assessment.

Exam Board: https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/specification

Geography is a popular A Level choice, with many students continuing from GCSE. We follow the Edexcel specification, offering a contemporary and engaging course that explores current global issues and the changing world around us.

Students study a wide range of physical and human geography topics, developing analytical, evaluative and research skills throughout the course.

Assessment

Students complete three examinations and one individual investigation:

Paper 1 (30% – 2 hours 15 minutes)

• Tectonic processes and hazards
• Landscape systems, processes and change
• Water cycle and water insecurity
• Carbon cycle and energy security

Paper 2 (30% – 2 hours 15 minutes)

• Globalisation
• Shaping places
• Superpowers
• Global development and connections

Paper 3 (20% – 2 hours 15 minutes)

• Synoptic paper based on a geographical issue within a place-based context

Individual Investigation (20%)
Students complete a 3,000–4,000 word independent report using both primary and secondary data.

Fieldwork Opportunities

Students complete at least four days of fieldwork, including local day trips and a residential visit to Dorset.

Geography and Your Future

Geography is highly regarded by universities and employers because it develops a broad range of transferable skills, including research, analysis, communication and problem-solving. It is recognised as a strong subject choice that helps keep a wide range of future pathways open.

Exam Board: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2016.html