What matters most in Geography?
Geography students will have a balanced, holistic understanding of the world we live In, intertwined through the principles, concepts and processes of physical and human geography and comprehend the interdependency between them. We will create academic students who are well rounded, empathetic and 21st Century problem solvers due to the values interlinked into the curriculum.
Geography, at its core encompasses everything on our planet. At its best it aims to instil curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. It aims to provide students with an objective view around them, questioning stereotypes and sources of information. Students consider their place in the world and how physical processes (such as coasts, rivers and glaciation) and human interactions shape society. It allows an appreciation of difference, cultural understanding and societal changes.
With sustainability at its core, students become global citizens considering how their daily actions have worldwide impacts. Geography aims to develop student’s cultural capital at a local, national and international scale. Geography develops students cartographical, statistical and analytical skills. Students will deepen their understanding of geographical processes and concepts through experiences of field work and will interpret a range of sources of geographical information including maps. They will learn evaluation skills, GIS and spatial awareness.
Prior Learning
Students arrive from KS2 having accessed a range of different levels of Geography. They should understand 7 continents and 5 oceans as well as broader locational understanding of the UK and Europe. They have basic geographical language and understand directions (compass points). They should also have a broad understanding of key human and physical characteristics. They may know basic map skills and basic graphical skills. Challenges for year 7 can be that students lack understanding of what the subject Geography is about. Gaps often include all the above content. They may have had some exposure to the concepts of physical and human geography as well as place, skills, fieldwork, sustainability and scale.
KS3 Curriculum concepts
The KS3 Geography curriculum equips students with a strong understanding of the physical and human processes that shape places at local, national and global scales. Across Years 7–9, students build core geographical skills—including mapwork, data interpretation, fieldwork, and enquiry—while developing knowledge of weather and climate, population and migration, rivers and coasts, biomes, development and inequality, tectonic processes, resource management, globalisation, extreme weather, urban change, conflict, and sustainability. The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that foundational concepts (such as place, space, scale, physical processes and human interactions) are introduced early and revisited in increasingly complex contexts. Students learn to apply geographical vocabulary confidently, analyse and evaluate a range of sources, and understand the interconnectedness of people and environments. By the end of KS3, they are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking needed for GCSE Geography and for engaging with real‑world issues as informed global citizens.
Subsequent Study
Some students will go on to study KS4 Geography (GCSE) and A level, however it is important to realise the links with many other subjects such as economics, politics, history, maths, sociology, environmental sciences as well as a wealth of other subjects.
Beyond Study
As a degree subject, geography is highly respected by employers. Geography graduates have one of the highest rates of graduate employment, pursuing a wide range of career paths.
Geography inspires an ability to understand and question the world we live in. It’s often said that there is no such thing as a geography job; rather there are multiple jobs that geographers do (RGS website). Geographers are adept at decision making and any career that involves management and evaluation, as well considering sustainability and real-world issues. It develops a wide skills set developing research and enquiry skills, preparing students for whatever their future career may be.
Students could continue to study Geography or a related concept and discipline at A level or at degree level. Students could choose to undertake a gap year and continue to discover the world and explore previous learning in the real world.
A range of careers could include town planning, coastal management, risk management, teaching, sustainability and conservation.
Associations
• Geographical Association: https://geography.org.uk/
• Digital Atlas Project: https://www.digitalatlasproject.net/
• Royal Geographical Society: https://www.rgs.org/
• Internet Geography: https://www.internetgeography.net/
• Discover the World Education: https://www.discover-the-world.com/study-trips/blog/best-geography-resource