What are the aims and purpose of our curriculum?

Our curriculum aims to develop pupils’ understanding and curiosity of the world and their place in it. Through carefully structured learning of geographical processes, places, and investigative techniques, pupils will analyse geographical patterns and address the social and environmental challenges the world faces.

What overarching curriculum principles inform the design of our curriculum?

This principle recognises the important role that knowledge, and vocabulary as a particularly important type of knowledge, plays in learning. We secure pupils’ knowledge of geographical processes, ensuring that this can be applied when learning about places and geographical issues. Pupils' locational and place knowledge is developed through a range of place-based and thematic topics, helping them understand the spatial patterns that underpin contemporary society. We map vocabulary across the curriculum, introducing new terms and repeating previously learnt vocabulary. This approach allows pupils to confidently apply geographical terms across different topics. Geographical investigation skills apply knowledge taught in the curriculum to develop pupils' expertise in fieldwork and in analysing spatial patterns using Geographical Information Systems.

A careful and purposeful sequencing of our curriculum content underpins the design of our curriculum, ensuring that pupils are able to build on and make links with existing knowledge. At its simplest this means ensuring, for example, that pupils learn about the evidence and science behind climate change before pupils learn about the impact of climate change in subsequent topics throughout the curriculum. Attention is paid to vertical coherence via threads, which map the developments of concepts over time, for example, in our thread about human processes, pupils are taught through the framing of their local area in year 1 through to learning about economic futures in the UK at GCSE.

Our evidence-informed approach enables the rigorous application of research outcomes, science of learning and impactful best practice both in education in general and at a subject specific level. For example, the design of our resources reflects findings from 

Mayer’s principles of multimedia learning

. We also draw on findings from research organisations such as the 

. At the subject level we draw on the work of the 

 alongside experts such as Young, Maude, Lambert, and Enser to develop lessons that offer pupils new ways of thinking about the world, provide them with the specialist knowledge to analyse and explain geographical patterns, and engage in contemporary debates. Additionally, we take into account Owens’ and Roberts' research, encouraging pupils to reflect on their own experiences and geographical knowledge and to situate this within a broader disciplinary context. The significance of fieldwork, as emphasised by researchers like Kinder and Tanner, has shaped the integration of fieldwork throughout the curriculum.

Our flexible approach enables schools to use our resources in a way that fits their contents and meets the varying needs of teachers and their pupils. Our curriculum can be used in its entirety or 

 to complement existing curricula or to match the equipment and materials available to the school. Our curriculum often provides different options so that schools and teachers can decide what knowledge is best for their pupils, for example when teaching about local contrasts, units on both 

. Our resources are adaptable so that, for example, teachers can edit or add checks for understanding, adapt practice tasks to better reflect the prior knowledge of their pupils or add local context to fieldwork and case studies. At key stage 4 teachers and pupils can select a pathway aligned to the most frequently used exam board specifications for GCSE Geography: 

Our commitment to breadth and diversity in content, language, texts, and media can be seen throughout the curriculum, for example in the group of diverse school age characters that feature in our resources and in the choice of case study examples and regional studies. Our regional studies look at all parts of the world, focusing on places in Europe and the Americas at key stage 1 and key stage 2, and Africa, Asia, and Oceania at key stage 3 and key stage 4. This provides pupils with a deep knowledge of different places and helps to celebrate the rich diversity of experiences and perspectives that exist in places around the world.

Our curriculum is intentionally designed to facilitate high-quality teaching as a powerful lever to support pupils with SEND. Aligned with EEF guidance, our resources have a focus on clear explanations, modelling and frequent checks for understanding, with guided and independent practice. For example, video clips using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) provide a model for pupils to apply to their own work. Lessons are chunked into learning cycles and redundant images and information are minimised to manage cognitive load. We have removed reference to year groups in our resources so that they can be used when pupils are ready, regardless of their age. Our resources are purposefully created to be accessible, for example by using accessible fonts, colours with good contrast, and captions in our videos.

What subject specific principles inform the design of our curriculum?

Focuses on the knowledge and skills specific to geography, including:

World knowledge (encompassing locational, place, environmental, physical and human processes) developed through thematic and place-based studies at a range of scales;

How geographical knowledge originates and is revised.

The curriculum develops pupils’ geographical knowledge through thematic units, such as those focusing on population and rivers, and place-based studies (also known as regional studies), such as those focusing on Northern Italy and India. Thematic units allow geographical processes to be carefully broken down and explained in manageable chunks whilst place-based units allow pupils’ to develop a deep knowledge of places and understand the diversity that exists within and between them. Where geographical models are introduced, such as those related to development, pupils are asked to consider their validity in the modern world.

Develops pupils’ knowledge and application of geographical investigation skills, including:

Using maps, Geographical Information Systems (GIS), spatial statistics, aerial and satellite imagery;

Using the fieldwork enquiry process and associated data collection, presentation and analysis techniques.

Pupils’ knowledge and application of geographical investigation skills such as the use of maps and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are integrated across the curriculum so that pupils can use them to investigate spatial patterns. The use of maps and GIS are modelled so that pupils gain the confidence to apply these tools independently in new contexts. Fieldwork begins in year 1 and is developed, so by year 11, pupils fully understand the enquiry process and possess strong skills in data collection, presentation, and analysis.

Develops understanding of contemporary geographical debates and real world challenges through organising, connecting and applying what they have been taught. 

Examples and case studies are used throughout the curriculum so that pupils can see geographical processes in action in the real world. For example, pupils use their knowledge of rivers, settlement and the water cycle to consider when and where flood protection can be justified. Place-based studies require pupils to connect and then apply knowledge from a range of units, demonstrating to them the complexity of issues and places.

How does our curriculum reflect the aims & purpose of the national curriculum?

. The first is that pupils ‘develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places’. Our curriculum includes a range of carefully chosen regional studies to develop pupils’ knowledge of the physical and human features of places around the world, how they are connected to other places and how they are shaped by geographical processes. The second aim is that pupils ‘understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world’. Our learning framework breaks down information so that pupils gain a strong understanding of geographical processes and can apply them in different locational contexts. The final aim is to ensure pupils ‘are competent in a range of geographical skills’. A range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are integrated throughout the curriculum and pupils are explicitly taught how to use these sources to analyse spatial variation and change over time. Fieldwork and its associated enquiry process is built into units across the curriculum, from year 1 to year 11, so that pupils understand how to create a geographical enquiry that deepens their understanding of people and places.

What teaching time does our curriculum require?

Our curricula for key stages 1-3 are designed for 36 weeks of curriculum time across the school year, which leaves time for other activities both within and beyond the curriculum, such as assessments or school trips. At key stage 4, year 10 also has 36 weeks of curriculum time, but year 11 has only 24 weeks (approximately 2 terms) to recognise that schools will not be teaching new content in the run-up to the GCSE exams.

At key stages 1-2 our primary geography curriculum is designed for one lesson to be taught every week. Our key stage 1 lessons are designed to be taught in approximately 40 minutes, whereas our key stage 2 lessons are closer to an hour. At secondary, our key stage 3 geography curriculum is designed for two lessons to be taught every week, with lessons lasting approximately an hour. Our key stage 4 geography curriculum is designed for five lessons to be taught every fortnight, so approximately 2.5hrs of teaching per week.

We use threads to signpost groups of units that link to one another, that together build a common body of knowledge over time. We use the term thread, rather than concepts, themes or big ideas, because it helps to bring to mind the visual concept of a thread weaving through the curriculum. Our geography threads are:

The primary threads are a combination of specialised concepts such as ‘sustainability’ and ‘interconnection’, which link to the secondary threads and contextual threads, such as ‘natural resources’ and ‘local area’, which show how the content of different units can be grouped together.

The secondary threads are concepts that link units across the curriculum developing pupils’ knowledge and skills in geography over time. The ‘inequality’ thread, for example, helps pupils understand patterns of development, population, settlement and trade as well as helping pupils understand a range of regional studies. Our threads are informed by the broader, more abstract key concepts of environment, space, place and earth systems, as outlined in the Geographical Association’s ‘A framework for the school geography curriculum’.

Recommendations from subject specific reports

How does our curriculum address and enact recommendations from subject specific reports (e.g. EEF guidance reports & Ofsted Research Review)?

Our geography curriculum addresses a number of concerns identified in the recent Ofsted subject report. Topics are carefully planned to ensure progression as pupils move through the curriculum. Knowledge from previous units is used and built on in subsequent units to help pupils develop a broad understanding of places and processes, for example the knowledge of climate zones developed in our year 7 Weather and Climate unit will be used by pupils in later units when learning about biomes around the world. Threads, underpinned by more abstract broader concepts, are used to help pupils make links between topics and deepen their understanding of geographical issues.

Fieldwork is integrated into the curriculum, from year 1 to year 11, allowing each school to make use of their school grounds and local area. Pupils will use the fieldwork enquiry process to plan and carry out fieldwork so that they are confident in investigating places and processes independently. Regional studies are planned in each key stage to give pupils deep knowledge and understanding of different places and avoid reinforcing ‘single story’ narratives. Places are purposely used as case studies in different topics so that pupils don’t associate places with solely one geographical phenomenon. For example, in key stage 4 pupils will complete regional studies on both Jakarta and more broadly of Indonesia whilst using case studies from the region when learning about topics associated with natural hazards and global trade.

The use of Geographical Information Systems (GIS) is integrated across the curriculum so that pupils can use different GIS to visualise and analyse spatial patterns as well as using GIS to add and process fieldwork data.

How does our curriculum deal with elements that arise from the specific needs of the subject?

What geographical locations are featured in the curriculum?

The locations of our regional studies are chosen with diversity and global coverage in mind. In our primary curriculum, there is a focus on Europe plus North and South America. Our key stage 3 curriculum predominantly focuses on regional studies in Asia and Africa. Learning about Indonesia and Jakarta at key stage 4 gives pupils the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of a region of south-east Asia/Oceania, which is growing in international importance.

Across the curriculum our regional studies are:

More specific case studies and examples are woven into units across the curriculum. Where appropriate we use examples of geographical processes from our regional studies to deepen pupils’ knowledge of these places. For example, in our forest biome unit in year 7 pupils will learn about mangroves in India and boreal forests in Russia, which will help their understanding in preparation for the regional studies of these places later in the course.

Fieldwork is integrated into units across the curriculum so that pupils have the opportunity to investigate geographical processes in a range of different contexts. Pupils will learn how the fieldwork enquiry process is used to guide an investigation from the early stages of developing questions through to the final evaluation. Pupils learn about a wide range of data collection, presentation and analysis techniques, including how Geographical Information Systems can be used at each of these stages. Fieldwork lessons are easily adapted to address the local context of schools, whilst retaining the fieldwork enquiry process.

The Geographical Association

 brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the development of this curriculum. They have an extensive membership base, embracing the whole range of teachers across the sector from every age group and every type of school, with an important focus on building a curriculum founded on strong principles informed by educational research, using careful sequencing and coherence.

Geography Southwest

 is a highly respected organisation that has created a range of high-quality curriculum resources. The organisation is well connected in the world of geography publishing and its team of highly experienced authors will enable the creation of first-class resources.

Secondary

Geography

Key Stage 1

Key Stage 2

Key Stage 3

Key Stage 4

Primary

Art and design

Core

GCSE

Citizenship

Computing

Cooking and nutrition

Design and technology

Edexcel

Eduqas

English

French

Edexcel B

German

History

Maths

Music

Physical education

Science

Spanish

Religious education

Inequality

Globalisation and interconnection

Sustainability and climate change

Physical systems and processes

Human systems and processes

Risk and resilience

Representation and identity

This unit teaches pupils about geographical skills. Pupils will learn how to identify, describe and analyse atlas and OS maps at different scales. They will also learn how to construct and interpret photos, diagrams, graphs and thematic maps. Pupils will also learn numerical and statistical skills.

Using atlases

Using OS maps to locate places

Using OS maps to analyse physical features

Describing landscapes using maps

Sketch maps and cross sections

Using and interpreting photographs

Constructing graphs in geography

Interpreting graphs in geography

Using statistical data in geography

Using and interpreting spatial data

Geographical skills

This unit teaches pupils about natural and tectonic hazards, their location, causes and effects. Pupils learn about the different types of hazard before focusing on earthquakes and volcanoes. Pupils will learn about tectonic processes, hazard impacts and the options for mitigation and adaptation.

An introduction to natural hazards

Factors affecting hazard risk

Plate tectonics theory

Global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes

Processes at constructive/divergent plate margins

Processes at destructive/convergent plate margins

Processes at conservative plate margins

Primary and secondary effects and responses to tectonic hazards

An example of effects and responses to a tectonic hazard in an HIC

An example of effects and responses to a tectonic hazard in an LIC

Reducing risks from earthquakes and volcanoes

Using GIS to visualise physical processes at different types of plate margin

Natural and tectonic hazards

This unit teaches pupils about weather hazards at the global and national (UK) scales. Pupils learn about global atmospheric circulation before focusing on the formation, impacts and responses to tropical storms. Pupils also learn about extreme weather events in the UK.

Global atmospheric circulation model, pressure belts and surface winds

Tropical storms – distribution, formation and development

Tropical storms – hazards and effects

Tropical storms – responses

Reducing risks from effects of tropical storms

Example of a tropical storm

Weather hazards in the UK

An example of a recent extreme weather event in the UK

Using GIS to map the track of a tropical storm

Weather hazards

This unit teaches pupils about the evidence, causes and impacts of climate change. Pupils learn that climate change is not just a recent trend but that it has occurred natuarlly over geological time. Pupils will also learn about the strategic options associated with mitigation and adaptation.

Evidence for climate change in the Quaternary period

Natural and human causes of climate change

Effects of climate change on people and the environment

Managing climate change – mitigation

Managing climate change – adaptation

Using GIS to visualise climate change impacts

Climate change

This unit teaches pupils about ecosystems and biomes at different scales. Pupils learn about the factors influencing biome distribution and the physical systems and processes regulating them. Pupils will also learn about the impact of population growth and resource extraction on biomes.

Understanding small-scale ecosystems

Changes in small-scale ecosystems

The distribution and characteristics of global biomes

The factors affecting biome distribution

Using GIS to visualise the distribution and characteristics of global biomes

Ecosystems, biomes and the biosphere

This unit teaches pupils about the tropical rainforest biome. Pupils learn about  the biotic and abiotic characteristics of tropical rainforests and the adaptations of plants and animals. Pupils will also learn about the importance of tropical rainforests and how they are under threat.

Characteristics of tropical rainforests

Plant and animal adaptations in tropical rainforests

Nutrient cycling and biodiversity in tropical rainforests

Deforestation in the tropical rainforest

Deforestation in Indonesia’s tropical rainforest

Value of tropical rainforests to people and the environment

Sustainable rainforest management

Using GIS and story maps to visualise deforestation patterns and trends

Tropical rainforest

This unit teaches pupils about the location, characterisitics, opprtunities and challenges associated with one global environment, either hot deserts or cold environments. Pupils will also learn about plant and animal adaptation and about issues facing their chosen environment.

Location and physical characteristics of hot deserts

Plant and animal adaptations, issues relating to biodiversity

Development opportunities and challenges in the Kalahari Desert

Desertification – causes and strategies

Hot desert and cold environments

Cold environments

Hot deserts

This unit teaches pupils about the UK's physical landscape, forming a solid foundation for further studies of physical systems and processes. Pupils learn how geology and past processes have influenced the physical and human landscape of the UK.

UK landscapes - the role of geology

UK physical landscapes

This unit, comprising of three variants, teaches pupils about processes and landforms associated with coastal, river and glacial landscapes. Pupils will learn about the formative processes involved in creating distinctive landforms and of the need for management.

Ice-shaping processes

Glacial landforms resulting from erosion and deposition

An example of an upland glaciated landscape in the UK: North Wales

Economic activities in glaciated upland areas

Conflicts in glaciated upland areas

An example of a glaciated upland area used for tourism

Using GIS to visualise glaciated landforms in upland areas

Coastal, river and glacial landscapes

Coastal landscapes

Glacial landsapes

River landscapes

This unit teaches pupils about patterns and trends in global urbanisation. Pupils study regional variations, patterns and growth in urbanisation and the development of megacities. Pupils also learn about the changing factors affecting growth, urban land uses and sustainable urban living.

Global trends in urbanisation

Factors affecting the growth of cities

Sustainable urban living 

Using GIS to visualise global trends in urbanisation

Patterns of global urbanisation

This unit teaches pupils about the development, importance and characteristics of Jakarta, an emerging country/NEE. Pupils will study the opportunities and challenges associated with the growth of the city, considering issues such as housing, services, the environment and sustainability.

Location and importance of Jakarta

Social opportunities associated with urban growth

Economic opportunities associated with urban growth

Challenges associated with urban growth: housing

Challenges associated with urban growth: people and the economy

Challenges associated with urban growth: environmental issues 

Example – urban planning improving the life of urban poor

Strategies for achieving sustainability: 'top-down' strategies

Strategies for achieving sustainability: 'bottom-up' strategies

Jakarta: case study of a major city in a Newly Emerging Economy

This unit teaches pupils about the geography of Liverpool, one of the UK's most important cities. Pupils learn about Liverpool's location and importance at different scales and about its characteristics. Pupils will learn about the factors leading to economic, social and environmental change.

UK cities and population distribution

Location and importance of Liverpool in the UK and wider world

Impacts of national and international migration on Liverpool

Opportunities created by urban change: people

Opportunities created by urban change: infrastructure and urban greening

Challenges created by urban change: social and economic

Challenges created by urban change: environmental

Impact of urban sprawl on the rural-urban fringe

An example of an urban regeneration project

Sustainable living in an urban area

Liverpool: case study of a UK city

This unit teaches pupils about fieldwork, an important assessment component at GCSE. Pupils will learn about the six stages of enquiry (formulating a question; collecting, presenting and analysing data; and writing conclusions and an evaluation). Pupils will also consider four field study options.

KS3 & KS4 geography curriculum

Unit sequence

Filter and highlight

Year group

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Hot desert and cold environments

Unit options

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