Curriculum Intent
“So what is geography? One answer is that without geography we can’t explain the world around us. Geography is all around us — it is about what is where and where is what; and why and when, and who and how… Nothing lies outside the purview of geography because everything is connected to everything else.”
— Dorling and Lee, 2016
Geography underpins a lifelong conversation about earth as the home of humankind and the study of geography gives students a unique understanding that no other subject can. Geographical thinking offers a uniquely powerful way of seeing the world; it includes relating the near and far, the physical and human, people and environments, economic and social perspectives. By developing this geographical thinking our students become the drivers of change, the future innovators, inventors, educators, engineers, surveyors, scientists and planners for the next generation.
Geography generates excitement, creativity and critical thinking about our world that equips our students to forge their own way forward. There has never been a more important time to learn geography.
Our curriculum creates inquisitive geographers constantly striving for a deeper understanding of our world. It will inspire pupils’ curiosity about different people and places, broadening their horizons and appreciation of different attitudes, values and beliefs so that they can contribute to a better tomorrow.
Our curriculum is designed to develop student’s geographical thinking so that they can see the world in a uniquely powerful way by
Exposing students to all aspects of the discipline through a wide range of physical, human and environmental geographical topics
Expanding horizons of the world through the study of a wide range of places at various scales from local to global, from near to far.
Developing contextual knowledge of globally significant locations including their defining physical and human characteristics
Clearly addressing core geographical concepts through the framing of BIG questions
Frequent reviews of topics and case studies will take place to keep our curriculum as relevant as possible
Developing critical thinkers through our decision making exercises
Imbedding fieldwork and investigative skills increasing independence to geographical enquiry.
Promote high levels of literacy and oracy through our ‘speak like a geographer’ strategy.
Exposing students to ambitious and challenging texts carefully selected from a range of geographical sources with the use of some of the world’s leading geography experts.
Highlighting our students to latest news and issues so that they can develop their own thoughts and ideas so that they can successfully engage in debates and decision making.
Developing synopticity through discrete opportunities, dedicated to finding links between concepts and topics
Exposing students to the intrinsic value of geography through careers opportunities, practical skills and trips both real and virtual places.
Embedding core knowledge through our ‘geog your memory’ activities every lesson
Links to useful resources
| People and the Planet | http://www.peopleandplanet.net |
| Multimap | Search for place names and postcodes - download travel directions |
| Streetmap | Zoom in on any UK area by entering a place name, postcode, grid reference or tel code |
| Ordnance Survey | OS map info |
| Expedia.co.uk Maps | Road maps of UK and Europe |
| MSN Maps and Directions | Maps for most US cities + major conurbations around the world |
| Map24 | Another UK map site |
| old-maps.co.uk | http://www.old-maps.co.uk |
| Maps Worldwide | Online shop for all map requirements |
| RAC Travel Services | Route planner/traffic news |
| Environment Agency | Variety of environmental info |
| Geographical - The Magazine | Topical geography items |
| The Geographical Association | Geog Association website |
| CIA - The World Factbook 2002 | World factbook |
| The World Bank Group | World bank website |
| USGS Geologic Information - Deserts | Info about deserts |
| Glacier | Info about glaciers |
| USGS - Earthquakes | Info about earthquakes |
| The Online Guides: Meteorology | Info about meteorology |
| Met Office | Weather/climate info |
| Met Office: Learning | Resources for students, enabling research into specific events eg 1987 hurricane |
| National Hurricane Centre | National Hurricane Center, Miami, Florida |
| WSVN-TV - Miami - The News Station | Info about hurricanes in Florida from local newspaper |
| Funbrain.com | Games, quizzes etc |
| Channel 4 Learning | Channel 4 education programmes |
| Columbus Travel Guides | Factual guide to holiday destinations |
| Leeds Geodemographic Analysis System | Method of extracting census data linked with postcodes |
| Northern Light | Search for news items |
| The Cryosphere | Info about snow, blizzards and avalanches |
| Volcano World | Good source of volcanic case studies |
| US Geological Survey | Variety of geological info |
| Museum of San Fracisco | A case study of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake presented by the Museum of San Francisco |
| Centre for Ecology and Hydrology | Institute of Hydrology - very useful for UK hydrological info - most UK rivers have info included |
| World Flag Database | Database of flags of the world’s countries |
| National Curriculum in Action: Geography | The national curriculum in action |
| Becta | ICT in education |
| US Census Bureau | Population Pyramids |
| Homework High | Revision site |
| Internet Geography | http://www.internetgeography.co.uk |