Overview
We have developed a carefully interwoven KS3 Geography curriculum, which builds upon the key geography principles, sense of place and processes of change. It enables our students to understand the causes and effects of our evolving planet whilst developing intrinsic links between human and physical geography from individual, regional, and national to global. Our thought-provoking KS3 curriculum aims to inspire students to be compassionate and inquisitive about the world in which they live, for the remainder of their lifetime.
Research Evidence
Our KS3 curriculum is unique and has been praised by Ofsted. Each topic focuses on continents as a sense of place and uses the topics of GCSE geography to drive the content studied within each continent. The teaching block for each continent is divided into two or three enquiry questions, which frame learning content and provide the basis for discussion and debate.
Autumn Term
Content and Skills
Africa
EQ1: Why is life in the semi-arid regions of Africa so challenging?
EQ2: Why have many African countries struggled to develop?
Skills:
Cartographic skills including using an atlas and reading choropleth maps.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions. Longer, 3-mark questions will assess students’ ability to ‘describe’ and ‘explain’.
At least one question will include a figure linked to the topic skill.
Spring Term
Content and Skills
Antarctica
EQ1: How has life adapted to Antarctica’s cold environments?
EQ2: Is Antarctica a place to protect, explore or profit from?
Skills:
Graphical skills including reading climate graphs.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions. Longer, 3-mark questions will assess students’ ability to ‘describe’ and ‘explain’.
At least one question will include a figure linked to the topic skill.
Summer Term
Content and Skills
Oceania
EQ1: How does the Great Dividing Range affect Australians?
EQ2: How has migration shaped Australia’s population?
EQ3: What are the costs and benefits of tourism in Oceania?
Skills:
Graphical skills including drawing and interpreting population pyramids.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions. Longer, 3-mark questions will assess students’ ability to ‘describe’ and ‘explain’.
At least one question will include a figure linked to the topic skill.
Autumn Term
Content and Skills
North America
EQ1: Why are some earthquakes deadlier than others?
EQ2: Is globalisation a positive process?
Skills:
Mathematical skills including calculating ratio and percentage change.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions and 3-mark ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ questions. There will be one longer 8-mark question to assess students’ ability to ‘evaluate’.
At least one question will be linked to the topic skill.
Spring Term
Content and Skills
South America
EQ1: What are the threats to the Tropical Rainforest biome?
EQ2: Is Curitiba a sustainable city?
Skills:
Cartographical skills including reading thematic maps.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions and 3-mark ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ questions. There will be one longer 8-mark question to assess students’ ability to ‘evaluate’.
At least one question will be linked to the topic skill.
Summer Term
Content and Skills
Local Dimension – Durham
EQ1: How has coastal erosion impacted Durham’s Heritage Coast?
EQ2: How has coal mining shaped life in County Durham?
Skills:
Drawing skills including sketching and annotation.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions and 3-mark ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ questions. There will be one longer 8-mark question to assess students’ ability to ‘evaluate’.
At least one question will be linked to the topic skill.
Autumn Term
Content and Skills
Asia – East and Southern Asia
EQ1: Why is the climate of southern Asia so unique?
EQ2: Why are many East Asian countries concerned about their populations?
Skills:
Graphical skills including reading the DTM.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions and 3-mark ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ questions. There will be one longer 8-mark question to assess students’ ability to ‘assess’.
At least one question will be linked to the topic skill.
Spring Term
Content and Skills
Asia – Russia and the Middle East
EQ1: What are the opportunities and challenges faced by Russia and the Middle East?
EQ2: What causes climate change and why does it matter?
Skills:
Graphical skills including reading proportional symbols and flow lines.
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions and 3-mark ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ questions. There will be one longer 8-mark question to assess students’ ability to ‘assess’.
At least one question will be linked to the topic skill.
Summer Term
Content and Skills
Europe
EQ1: How have glaciers shaped Europe’s landscapes?
EQ2: Why does quality of life vary from place to place?
Skills:
Cartographic skills including reading OS maps
How is it assessed?
Students will be assessed using multiple choice questions and 3-mark ‘describe’ and ‘explain’ questions. There will be one longer 8-mark question to assess students’ ability to ‘assess’.
At least one question will be linked to the topic skill.
Here is the link to our exam specifications:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-a-2016.html
Here is the link to our exam specification:
https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2016.html