In Geography we encourage all students to embrace and challenge both current and future issues, developing their ability through Oracy and fostering courageous advocacy in a dynamic, complex world. We aim to balance the tradition of human, physical and environmental concepts with our ever-changing world. The clearly sequenced curriculum consistently applies and builds on skills that students require to develop their performance and character. With our consistent application of Rubrics in all forms, we empower students to flourish, fully enabling fulfilment of their aspirational development in geography, and enhancing their British values.
In KS3 Geography, students will build a connected understanding of the world by exploring a wide range of engaging and meaningful topics. They begin by developing map skills, which are essential for navigating and interpreting the physical and human features they will study throughout the course. These skills support their exploration of weather and climate, helping them understand how atmospheric conditions shape environments and influence where people live. This leads naturally into the study of population, where students examine how human settlements grow and change, and how this affects the demand for resources such as water, energy, and food. Students will use oracy to debate how we can manage these resources fairly and sustainably, linking to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—a global framework for tackling issues like poverty, inequality, and climate change. Through the study of rivers and glaciers, students explore how natural processes shape the land, which connects to their learning about biomes—including deciduous woodlands, where they will take part in group discussions and presentations on biodiversity, conservation, and the impact of human activity. These biomes are also compared with others such as rainforests, tundra, and deserts, helping students understand how climate and ecosystems vary across the globe. Regional studies of Russia, China, India, and the Middle East allow students to apply their knowledge to real-world places, deepening their understanding of global diversity and development. Finally, the Our Amazing Living World unit links geography with biology, encouraging students to explore ecosystems, food chains, and the importance of protecting our planet—bringing together physical geography, human impact, and sustainability in a meaningful and memorable way.
Students will learn in a supportive and inclusive geography classroom, where collaboration, curiosity, and challenge are encouraged through peer discussions, group tasks, and reflective activities.
Well-being and positive mental health are central to our classroom culture. Students will explore how the environment can impact mental health—such as the calming effects of green spaces like deciduous woodlands—and will use oracy to share their views in a safe space, developing confidence and empathy. They will also consider how media and advertising influence our perceptions of places and people, through creative tasks like designing travel posters or persuasive presentations promoting destinations such as Scarborough or Dubai, linking to our studies of global cities and tourism.
Through the lens of travel writing and geographical storytelling, students will explore the diversity of the world’s cultures and landscapes, from the icy tundra of Russia to the bustling cities of India and China. They will also examine how political leaders and global organisations use speeches and campaigns to influence change, connecting to the Sustainable Development Goals and the power of geography to shape a fairer world.
Many of the case studies and texts we explore highlight how communities and ecosystems show resilience in the face of challenges—whether it’s adapting to climate change, recovering from natural disasters, or managing population pressures. Students will reflect on these themes and demonstrate their own resilience by working independently, responding to feedback, and setting personal learning goals.
Fairness and inclusivity are at the heart of our curriculum. Students will study places and people who have faced discrimination or environmental injustice and will be encouraged to think critically about how geography can help build a more tolerant and equitable world. Through spoken language activities, students will learn to listen respectfully, express their ideas clearly, and take pride in the work they produce—developing not just as geographers, but as thoughtful, informed global citizens.
Studying Geography in KS3 helps you explore powerful questions about yourself, others, beauty, and even God. You begin to think about your role in the world and how your choices affect people and places far beyond your own community. You’ll ask yourself: How can I help create a fairer, more sustainable future? and What does it mean to be a responsible global citizen? As you learn about diverse cultures, stunning landscapes, and resilient communities, you’ll discover the beauty of the natural world and the strength of human spirit—sparking reflection on deeper ideas like purpose, justice, and stewardship. Geography also helps you understand how people live differently across the globe, encouraging empathy and respect. Through oracy and reading, you’ll develop your ability to speak clearly, listen thoughtfully, and engage with complex ideas—skills that help you grow not just as a geographer, but as a confident, curious, and compassionate person.
At the end of each of the topics is a 40-mark assessment, this includes word match ups, skills-based questions (map work), as well as 4-, 6- and 9-mark questions to build resilience. The questions asked will be like those in lessons to ensure that all students will be able to access learning.
At the end of the year is a trust assessment, which follows the usual format but is more interleaving across the year.
Students will have to choose either History or Geography at KS4. Geography at KS4 helps you understand the world around you—how it works, how it’s changing, and how we can shape its future. It’s a subject that connects people, places, and the environment, and it links closely with science to help you explore real-world challenges like climate change, natural hazards, and ecosystem management.
You’ll study topics such as weather systems, coastal processes, and resource use, all of which involve scientific understanding of the Earth’s systems. You’ll also explore how human activity affects the planet, using data and evidence to make informed decisions—just like in science. Fieldwork gives you the chance to apply scientific methods in real environments, collecting and analysing data to draw conclusions about the world around you. Geography supports your learning in biology, chemistry, and physics—from understanding the carbon cycle and biodiversity, to exploring energy sources and the physical forces that shape our landscapes. It helps you develop skills in data analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking, which are essential in both geography and science. Studying Geography opens doors to a wide range of careers—from environmental science and engineering to urban planning, sustainability, and international development. It’s a subject that helps you become a more informed, responsible global citizen—ready to make a difference in the world.
Despite the great benefits from Geography, the most important decision is that students pick the subject that they enjoy the most.
In KS4 Geography, students deepen their understanding of the world by exploring powerful and relevant topics that connect physical and human geography. They begin with The Living World, where they study ecosystems such as tropical rainforests and cold environments, linking back to their KS3 knowledge of biomes and building a scientific understanding of biodiversity, nutrient cycles, and adaptation. This leads into the study of natural hazards, where students explore the causes and impacts of earthquakes, volcanoes, and tropical storms, using real-world case studies to understand how people prepare for and respond to these events.
The theme of human interaction with the environment continues in Urban Issues and Challenges, where students investigate how cities grow and change, comparing life in megacities in newly emerging economies with urban challenges in the UK. This links closely with The Changing Economic World, where students explore global development patterns, the rise of countries like India and Nigeria, and how economic change affects people’s lives. These topics are underpinned by the study of Resource Management, where students focus on the global and local challenges of providing food, water, and energy sustainability encouraging debate and discussion through oracy about fairness, access, and the future of our planet.
Students also study Rivers and Coasts, applying scientific knowledge to understand how physical processes shape the landscape and how humans manage these dynamic environments. These topics are brought to life through fieldwork, where students collect and analyse data in real settings, developing enquiry skills and applying classroom learning to the world around them. In Year 11, students engage with a pre-release issue, where they apply their knowledge to a contemporary geographical challenge, using critical thinking and decision-making to evaluate solutions.
Throughout the course, students are encouraged to think like geographers and scientists—asking questions, analysing evidence, and considering the impact of human choices on the natural world. Geography at KS4 not only prepares students for further study but also helps them become informed, responsible global citizens ready to shape a more sustainable future.
Students will learn in a supportive and inclusive KS4 Geography classroom, where collaboration, curiosity, and challenge are encouraged through peer discussions, group tasks, and reflective activities. In Resource Management and the Changing Economic World, students will explore issues of inequality, access to essentials, and sustainable development, not just in case study countries like Nigeria, but will even reflect on the North-South divide in the UK.
Through geographical storytelling and case studies, students will explore the diversity of the world’s cultures and landscapes—from the megacities of India and Nigeria to the coastal and river environments of the UK. They will examine how political decisions, global organisations, and sustainable development goals influence how we respond to challenges such as climate change, natural hazards, and economic inequality—developing a deeper understanding of how geography shapes a fairer world.
Many of the case studies students explore highlight how communities and ecosystems show resilience—whether it’s rebuilding after earthquakes and tropical storms, adapting to coastal erosion, or managing urban growth. Students will reflect on these themes and demonstrate their own resilience by working independently, responding to feedback, and setting personal learning goals throughout the course.
Fairness and inclusivity are at the heart of our curriculum. Students will study places and people affected by environmental injustice, development gaps, and resource scarcity, and will be encouraged to think critically about how geography can help build a more tolerant and equitable world.
Studying Geography at KS4 helps you explore deep and meaningful questions about yourself, others, beauty, and even God. As you learn about the power of natural hazards, the complexity of ecosystems, and the challenges of global inequality, you begin to reflect on your place in the world and your responsibility to care for it. You might ask yourself: How do I respond to injustice? What does it mean to live sustainably? Why is the natural world so beautifully complex, and what does that tell me about creation? Through case studies of communities facing earthquakes, tropical storms, or urban poverty, you’ll develop empathy and a greater understanding of how people show resilience and strength in the face of adversity. You’ll also explore how human choices shape the environment, prompting you to think critically about fairness, access to resources, and the future of our planet. Geography encourages you to use oracy to debate real-world issues and reading to explore diverse perspectives—helping you grow as a thoughtful, informed, and compassionate global citizen.
Students will be assessed at the end of each of the topic areas following a GCSE past paper (or one produced in a similar style).
During the Year 10 mock exams, students will take a 1-hour and 30-minute paper covering Living World, Hazards, and Urban Issues and Challenges.
In year 11 (March), students will complete a full paper 1, a paper 2 and partial paper 3 exam (due to lack of pre-release).
Studying Geography at KS4 opens up a wide range of exciting opportunities for further study and future careers. It provides a strong foundation for A-level Geography, as well as related subjects like Environmental Science, Geology, Biology, Economics, and Politics. The subject develops valuable skills in data analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which are highly valued by colleges, universities, and employers. Geography can lead to careers in urban planning, environmental consultancy, disaster management, sustainability and conservation, international development, GIS (Geographic Information Systems), climate science, and even journalism or law. Whether you're passionate about protecting the planet, understanding global issues, or working with people and places, Geography equips you with the knowledge and skills to make a real difference in the world.
In KS5 Geography, students build on their prior knowledge to explore complex and interconnected global issues through a more analytical and evaluative lens. The course begins with the Water and Carbon Cycles, where students investigate the essential natural systems that regulate life on Earth, applying scientific understanding to explore how these cycles are influenced by both physical processes and human activity. This links closely with Ecosystems Under Stress, where students examine the fragility and resilience of environments such as tropical rainforests and coral reefs, and consider the impact of climate change, deforestation, and conservation efforts.
The study of Coasts allows students to explore dynamic landscapes shaped by marine and sub-aerial processes, while evaluating the effectiveness of coastal management strategies in the face of rising sea levels and increasing storm events. In Changing Places, students reflect on the emotional and cultural connections people have with locations, comparing local and distant places to understand how identity, perception, and experience shape our understanding of the world.
Human geography themes are further developed through Contemporary Urban Environments, where students explore the challenges and opportunities facing cities in the 21st century, including sustainability, regeneration, and social inequality. These ideas are expanded in Global Systems and Governance, where students critically examine globalisation, international trade, migration, and the role of institutions like the UN and WTO in shaping global interactions.
Throughout the course, students engage in independent fieldwork, designing and conducting their own geographical investigations, and applying a range of qualitative and quantitative methods. They also respond to a pre-release resource, using their knowledge and skills to evaluate a contemporary geographical issue and propose informed solutions. KS5 Geography encourages students to think like researchers—analysing data, evaluating arguments, and drawing evidence-based conclusions. It prepares them not only for further study in geography and related fields, but also for a wide range of careers where critical thinking, global awareness, and problem-solving are essential.
Students will learn in a supportive and inclusive KS5 Geography classroom, where collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and academic challenge are central to learning. Through peer discussions, independent research, and evaluative tasks, students are encouraged to think critically about complex global issues. In topics such as Global Systems and Governance and Contemporary Urban Environments, students explore themes of inequality, sustainability, and power—examining how access to resources, political decisions, and international organisations shape the world we live in.
Through in-depth case studies and geographical storytelling, students investigate the diversity of cultures and landscapes—from the transformation of urban spaces in global cities to the environmental pressures facing fragile ecosystems. They explore how climate change, coastal erosion, and urbanisation are managed at local, national, and global levels, and how the Sustainable Development Goals influence policy and planning. These themes are explored through a critical lens, encouraging students to question how geography can contribute to a more just and sustainable future.
Many of the places and systems studied—such as coastal zones, carbon and water cycles, and ecosystems under stress—highlight the resilience of both natural and human systems. Students are expected to demonstrate their own resilience through independent fieldwork investigations, data analysis, and evaluative writing, responding to feedback and refining their thinking throughout the course.
Fairness, inclusivity, and global awareness are at the heart of the KS5 Geography curriculum. Students examine issues such as environmental injustice, development gaps, and place identity, and are encouraged to reflect on how geography can help build a more tolerant, equitable, and sustainable world. Through this, they develop not only as geographers, but as thoughtful, informed global citizens prepared for higher education and beyond.
Studying Geography at KS5 challenges you tothink deeply about yourself, others, beauty, and even God. As you explore thecomplexity of natural systems like the water and carbon cycles, you begin toreflect on the delicate balance of life on Earth and your role in protectingit. You might ask: responsibilities do I have as a global citizen? How do my choices affect people and places I may never meet? When youstudy ecosystems under stress, coastal change, and urban inequality, you’reencouraged to consider the resilience of both nature and humanity—and howbeauty can be found in both thriving environments and communities overcomingadversity. Geography also invites you to think about the bigger picture: Whyis the world so interconnected? What values should guide how we manage it? Throughoracy and reading, you’ll engage with diverse perspectives, debate ethicalissues, and develop your ability to think critically and compassionately. Thissubject helps you grow not just as a geographer, but as a thoughtful, informedindividual ready to make a meaningful impact in the world.
Students will be assessed at the middle and end of each topic using past papers. These will be the same marks as a section of each paper in the actual exams. Students will also have regular feedback on 4, 6, 9 and 20 mark questions throughout the schema of teaching, with regular use of rubrics to support them.
Studying Geography at KS5 opens the door to a wide range of exciting opportunities in higher education and beyond. It is a highly respected A-level that combines scientific understanding with social awareness, making it an excellent foundation for university courses in Geography, Environmental Science, Geology, Urban Planning, International Relations, Sustainability, Politics, and Economics. The subject develops transferable skills such as data analysis, critical thinking, research, problem-solving, and communication, which are valued by universities and employers alike. Geography graduates go on to careers in climate science, disaster management, environmental consultancy, GIS and mapping, international development, urban design, policymaking, education, and even law and journalism. Whether you're passionate about tackling climate change, shaping sustainable cities, or understanding global inequalities, Geography equips you with the tools to make a real impact in the world.
