Geography

At Key Stage 3, we take pupils on a journey across a range of some of the most fascinating and diverse places on Earth, exploring key geographical ideas and concepts. Geographers are interested in the interaction between people and natural environments. The course in Years 7-9 aims to explore a range of contemporary examples of this. Over the three year course, pupils will learn about a range of natural and human environments in different parts of the world. They will study the processes that create major landforms or affect natural systems. They will develop their understanding of how these both affect and are affected by human activity. Finally, we hope that they will develop an awe and wonder about the world they live in and a greater awareness of the diversity of places which exist on Earth, as well as their role and place within these.

WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?

The Key Stage 3 curriculum has been re-developed in response to the changing demands and skills required for GCSE and A Level Geography.

Some skills are specific to geographers, for example interpreting Ordnance Survey maps, the use of Geographic Information Systems, interpreting satellite and remotely sensed imagery, as well as the ability to plan, carry out, analyse and evaluate pieces of fieldwork on a range of scales.

Other skills are transferable and work towards the wider goal of developing pupils who are independent, resilient and creative problem solvers. These skills are developed through independent and group projects, as well as fieldwork activities.

Numeracy skills are developed when interpreting data and information to help explore individual topics, and graphical skills are integrated into all units of study.

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

YEAR 7

• To the Ends of the Earth – what can we

Geographers learn from the Arctic and

Antarctica, the last true wildernesses on

Earth? • Map skills – how to read, interpret and understand Ordnance Survey maps • Independent Geographical Information

Systems (GIS) mapping project – students will apply their map skills to collect data and create maps of the school site • World Heritage Sites –what are they and why are they important to us? • Fieldwork trip to Blaenavon and Big Pit • Life in the Oceans – what makes our oceans important and what key issues are affecting them today

YEAR 8

• Coastal landforms and issues – what is happening at the coast and why should we be interested? • Fieldwork trip to Swanage • Glaciated landscapes of the Alps – how have the mighty Alps been formed, what landforms have they created and what issues have arisen from human activities in this environment? • Africa – an exploration of the opportunities and challenges in the most diverse, misrepresented and misunderstood continent on Earth • The Middle East – a place study of the physical and human Geography of this hugely significant region of the world

YEAR 9

• World Development – what do we mean by development, how do we measure it, and how can the development gap be closed? • China – an overview of some of the biggest geographical, economic and demographic opportunities and challenges faced by

China in the 21st century • The Restless Earth – an overview of the causes, impacts and management of earthquakes and volcanoes • Weather hazards – what are tropical storms and how can we reduce the negative impacts of these?