The foundations laid in KS3 will help our geographers to go on to succeed in KS4. They will have the knowledge, skills and understanding to enable them to apply what they know to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts from the local area to world regions. 

Our students will be competent in their geographical knowledge and vocabulary, which will be learned and regularly practised so that they become fluent with geographical language. They will develop their spatial awareness and be able to use a range of maps effectively. They will be able to carry out independent geographical enquiry, make sense of geographical data, and become critical thinkers.

HLC students will have a sense of belonging and respect for their world at a range of levels. This will inspire them to become positive global citizens and help them to succeed and enjoy their studies.

Year 7 Curriculum implementation: Beginning to be a Geographer

The Geography Department aims to instil a love of the geographical world that every modern young person should gain through an understanding of the human and physical processes that have created our local area and locations around the world. They will be introduced to the fundamental concepts that underpin the study of geography. Students will also be introduced to the knowledge and skills required by geographers when completing investigations. This will be achieved through developing students’ skills to ask relevant questions about their local environment and they will learn the processes involved in investigating whether their hypotheses are supported through the choosing of sampling methods, data collection, presentation and evaluation. The key focus for developing depth of knowledge in Year 7 is the application of understanding in relation to map skills, geographical investigations and physical processes. Clear links to literacy, maths, science and careers will be made through the year in order for students to recognise and embed cross-curricular skills and knowledge.

Year 8 Curriculum implementation: Key Stage 3 – Emerging Geographers

Having learnt key geographical skills in Year 7, in Year 8 students are challenged to apply these at larger scales. The Year 8 curriculum is also designed to provoke students into questioning their view of themselves as consumers and as caretakers of the world. We aim to foster an appreciation for the careful balance of the environment, whilst seeking to support them to become educated citizens about the fundamental human challenges in the modern world. We seek to create outward looking young people who are aware of themselves as custodians of the planet and who understand the pivotal place geography holds in striving to find a balance between the human, physical and environmental challenges faced by the modern world. In Year 8 we also broaden our students’ view of the world geographically, as well as chronologically, with topics on globalisation and development. These topics as well as the climate debate are designed to encourage students to be educated citizens who challenge the accepted norms through provoking debates on concepts of people’s right to a good quality of life. Students should be able to apply geographical skills with growing levels of mastery as we progress through the year.

Year 9 Curriculum implementation: Developing Geographer

Year 9 is a key transitional year in Geography in which students are taught to apply their extensive knowledge from Year 7 and 8 to synoptic studies of fragile environments and unstable regions. The focus is also for students to gain a mastery of the core geographical knowledge and skills that will underpin their learning at GCSE. Students are expected to be able to apply their knowledge of the human and physical world to their learning on new places, such as Birmingham and Mexico City and reach well-reasoned opinions on managing the challenges faced by different places around the world. There is a focus in Year 9 on students honing their written communication skills with an expectation that their core knowledge is robust enough to now develop their fluency.  Finally, they will experience a full day’s field work in Shrewsbury for which they will plan, evaluate methods of data collection, choose appropriate methods to present data and form conclusions

Progress is measured within lessons, and over terms, years and key stages. In lessons, progress is measured through retrieval ‘do now’ activity upon entry, checking for understanding methods such as cold calling and show me boards/ back of book ABCD.   Powerpoints have feedback embedded within them so that pupils may work independently and check their own work.  Feedback slides have a green back ground, pupils mark in red pen, sometimes this is scaffolded peer assessment.  Summative assessments and extended writing is marked in green pen by the teacher in line with the department feedback policy.

Feedback plays a crucial role in assessing depth of student understanding and analysing other students’ answers allows students to assess their own progress based upon the feedback from the teacher. Mastery is achieved through regular opportunities to practice recalling key information, and redrafting and improving work based on feedback from the teacher.

Data from teacher marks assessment will be entered into department spreadsheet for teachers to track progress.  Gaps are addressed and closed between lessons and at the end of each topic when appropriate to ensure students have a solid understanding before another topic is taught.

Engagement in Geography will be evident in a healthy uptake for GCSE, and again on to A Level when they leave HLC.

Key Stage 3 students are supported with knowledge organisers (which is a topic summary) and digital resources to enhance their in-class learning.

Homework is set fortnightly and takes approximately 30 mins in line with whole school homework program.

Key Stage 3 students are supported with knowledge organisers (which is a topic summary) and digital resources to enhance their in-class learning.

Homework is set fortnightly and takes approximately 30 mins in line with whole school homework program.

Careers involving Geography are regularly featured in our lessons. The skills you will learn in Geography can be applied throughout your life. You will develop communication and teamwork skills. You’ll learn how to analyse and evaluate while looking for connections and explanations. These are key skills required by employers in your future. In fact, geographers are seen as some of the most employable graduates in the UK thanks to their range of skills and ability to think laterally.

A Level Geography is a fantastic bridging subject for the Arts and Sciences giving you the flexibility and breadth of knowledge to be able to apply yourself to a range of possible careers.

Degree Level Geography allows you to focus more specifically on a chosen area of the subject for example oceanography, geology, population, Geographical Information Systems or environmental sustainability.

Careers through Geography are too diverse to mention them all here! You could be an environmental management consultant, an urban planner, a meteorologist, a seismologist – so many exciting choices! We’re not sure there is a job out there that can’t be done better with a Geography qualification.