Geography

Our Curriculum Intent

The Geography department will achieve the Howard’s curriculum intent by stimulating students’ interest in the world around them, encouraging them to develop their understanding of the natural processes that shape our planet, and the human interactions that influence our global society.  Students will have the opportunity to consider a broad range of topics covering the UK and a variety of countries from all continents.  Through investigation of different cultures, ways of life, challenges and patterns of UK regional and international inequality, students will develop a balanced understanding of the diversity of communities across the globe.

Fieldwork during KS3, KS4 and KS5 enables students to enhance their understanding in a real-world context and develop their skills in independent study and investigation.  Local studies, in addition to coastal and urban fieldtrips, provide students with the opportunity to experience a diverse collection of environments, and they are challenged to consider the difficulties facing people living in each location.  We hope that they will also consider solutions and develop empathy and a broader understanding of the varied lived experience of UK citizens in different locations.

Students are encouraged to think like Geographers, assessing data to find patterns that help us to explain how the world operates, with an understanding of current events and an appreciation of different cultures at home and abroad.  They will also develop confidence in a diverse range of skills, including communication, teamwork, literacy, numeracy, analytical, investigative, ICT and decision-making skills that equip them to play their part in tackling the challenges that face our global human society.

Our Learning Journey

Please click on the relevant link for our KS3 Geography Learning Journeys:

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Please click on the relevant link for our KS4 Geography Learning Journeys:

Year 10

Year 11

Our KS3 Flightpath Descriptors

Please click here for our Geography KS3 Flightpath Descriptors.

National Curriculum Mapping

Our schemes of work are aligned with the National Curriculum and are designed to at least meet its requirements, going beyond them in many respects.

To access the National Curriculum Programmes of Study for KS3 Geography, click here. 

The National Curriculum Purpose of Study for Geography is as follows: 

A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Teaching should equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

KS4 Course Information

For information about KS4 courses, please refer to the KS4 Curriculum e-booklet.

Please click here for the KS4 Geography exam specification.

KS5 Course Information

For information about the KS5 Courses available, click here.