Geography
Throughout a 7-year curriculum, we intend to develop Geographers that “Think like a Geographer”, “Speak like a Geographer” and “Write like a Geographer”. The Key Stage 3 curriculum is primarily shaped around the ‘Progress in Geography’ textbook, and our curriculum intent shares many of its core aims. The big topics studied at Key Stage 3 lay the foundations for those who choose to undertake GCSE and A-level Geography.
Our curriculum aims to help students develop their understanding of the big ideas of geography and how they interconnect. Adopting an inquiry-based approach enables us to develop student’s curiosity about our rich and diverse planet and to use a wide range of geographical data to make sense of people and places at a local, national and international scale. We aim to use different maps routinely to develop student’s spatial awareness of a variety of places and scales. Students should develop an understanding of how physical and human landscapes are interdependent and interconnected. There is a focus on encouraging students to expand on, and use geographical vocabulary in both their spoken and written work. Students are encouraged to think critically about different viewpoints and taught how to strengthen their arguments and justify their viewpoints when making decisions.
We intend to increase student’s exposure to fieldwork skills through inquiry projects on the school site, in the local area, and further afield. Practical fieldwork opportunities will enable students to critically examine how the geographical concepts they learn in the classroom manifest in different locations and at a variety of scales, further developing their curiosity, independent learning, and creating memorable learning experiences for students. When selecting case studies and field trips we aim to consider the student demographics and select areas that students have links with.
The British value of ‘democracy’ will be explored through incorporating a decision making exercise into at least one unit of work per year group. Incorporating decision making exercises into the Geography curriculum will enhance our focus on an enquiry based curriculum whilst supporting students to consider and evaluate different stakeholder’s points of views when justifying opinions.