Key Stage 3 GEOGRAPHY

Year 7

• How do I become a geographer? - This unit explores students’ sense of place in the world. The initial lessons focus on locating places, such as continents and countries, followed by an introduction to the different map skills, such as OS maps, grid references. Finally, students study their local area of Bolton and Manchester, including local history and the differences between human and physical geography.
• Always Wonder More about… Europe - This is the second continent studied in year 7. It will look in depth at two countries: The UK and Russia. The key themes are physical UK landscapes, as well as they economic and political geography of Russia.
• Always Wonder More about… North America - The themes studied within the topic will be: Weather and climate as well as hot desert ecosystems.​

Year 8

• Always wonder more about…South America - The themes studied within the topic are: Tectonics, ecosystems, development and rivers, with a particular focus on Brazil.
• Always wonder more about…Asia - The themes studied within the topic are: Development, population, resource management and the Middle East.
• Always wonder more about…Africa – The themes studied within the topic are: Development, population and conflict.

Key Stage 4 GEOGRAPHY 

Throughout Years 9, 10 and 11 students build up their level of understanding of the key GCSE content and develop their geographical skills. Students are taught both human and physical geography through a variety of different locational examples and case studies. The exam board studied at GCSE is AQA.

Year 9

• Always wonder more about…Antarctica - This unit carries on from a focus on continents at KS3, finishing with Antarctica at the start of Year 9 for students who have chosen to study GCSE Geography. Throughout this unit, students will learn about the physical geography of Antarctica, the threats to this, the governance of the continent and the impacts of climate change. The topic brings together different GCSE skills and themes, such as ecosystems, climate change and sustainability, to help pupils prepare for the GCSE course.
• Always Wonder More about…Oceania - The unit will follow the key thread of learning through place. The themes studied within the topic are: Coastal landscapes, population and tourism. 
• Global Issues - This unit covers many of the main themes at GCSE (both human and physical geography) using a variety of different case study examples, whilst also developing key skills and formulating balanced arguments. The unit consists of human and physical global geographical issues.
• The Living World - Students identify the different climatic and vegetation patterns around the globe, with an in-depth investigation into tropical rainforests and hot desert environments.