Geography aims to develop students’ knowledge of the physical and human landscape and how people interact with it. It develops those skills by exploring natural and human systems and their interdependence, which in turn, helps to develop literacy, numeracy, cartographic skills, cultural capital and morality. These skills develop the foundations learnt by applying them to real world situations.

Table of topics

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
The geography of our local area, the UK and beyond Case study: Italy Population Settlement Industry Geographical skills	Globalisation Development Environmental Issues Tourism World Regions Case study: Brazil	Rivers and coasts The geography of water Restless earth Ecosystems – rainforests and deserts Ecosystems – savannahs and Mediterranean Weather and climate

The fundamental aim of the KS4 Geography curriculum is to develop a deeper and broader understanding of the earth’s natural and human landscapes and the processes that create them. We aim to develop students’ knowledge in the various interactions between humans and the natural environment by exploring the wide variety of landscapes, their creation and how they change and develop. The GCSE course helps to develop critical investigation, literacy, numeracy, data collection and analysis and evaluation skills.

The ability to investigate, collect data and critically evaluate issues deepens students understanding of the world around them and how humans interact both with each other and the landscape. The study of Geography relates to numerous other subjects, in particular the natural sciences as well as the broader humanities subjects of Sociology, Philosophy and History.

Year 10	Year 11
The Challenge of natural hazards – earthquakes, tropical storms, climate change The Challenge of the UK Environment – rivers, coasts, floods Living World – rainforests, deserts Geographic investigations (fieldwork)	Changing urban environments – cities, Liverpool, Rio de Janeiro Changing Economic World – development, Brazil, UK. Resource Management – food, water, energy Issue evaluation

Exam board: AQA GCSE 1-9 Geography

100% examination based assessment Paper name: The Challenge of the Natural Environment Length of paper: 1 hour 30 minutes % of final grade: 37.5% Paper name: The Challenge of the Human Environment Length of paper: 1 hour 30 minutes % of final grade: 37.5% Paper name: Geographical Issues and fieldwork Length of paper: 1 hour 15 minutes % of final grade: 25%

Find out more about this qualification.

View the GCSE course specification