All students in years 7 and 8 study Geography. KS3 aims to develop key geographical skills; interpreting a variety of information (maps, globes, photographs and Geographical Information Systems GIS), communicating geographical information through a range of techniques, and collecting, analysing and reporting data. Students will also gain knowledge and understanding of globally significant locations and the processes involved in the world’s physical and human geographical features.

In Year 7 students will explore Asia, Africa and the UK, learning about their physical geography, population, development and economy. Students will also discover the processes and features of rivers, geology, soil, and extreme environments (Ice Age, glaciers, etc).

During Year 8, students develop their understanding of weather and climate, exploring how atmospheric processes work and the impacts of extreme weather. They also investigate the physical and human geography of the Middle East, including climate, biomes, population, and regional conflict. Later in the year students study coasts, examining wave processes, coastal landforms,
management strategies, and fieldwork methods. They then explore people and resources, focusing on population, natural resources, water transfer, energy use, and sustainability. The year concludes with an in-depth study of tropical rainforests, including biodiversity, adaptations, deforestation, and links to global climate systems.

In Year 9 students study a range of global geographical challenges, beginning with tectonic and weather hazards, including case studies of tropical storms, extreme weather in the UK and areas impacted by earthquakes and volcanoes. They then examine climate change, its causes, effects and management. Later in the year students investigate urban growth in both LICs and HICs through case studies of Rio de Janeiro and London, before concluding with a focus on urban sustainability, including sustainable living and resource management supported by the East Village, Stratford case study.

Students can choose to pick Geography as their GCSE humanities subject. There has never been a better or more important time to study Geography with growing interest in issues such as climate change, migration, environmental degradation and social cohesion. The course will give students a chance to get to grips with some of the big questions which affect our world, and to understand the social, economic and physical forces and processes which shape and change it. The Geography Department teaches the AQA Geography syllabus, which prepares students using both a traditional approach as well as examining contemporary issues.

The course is a good mix of topics such as urban issues, world development, extreme environments, rivers and hazards – to name but a few! It is very practical, with opportunities to learn and develop new skills such as modern computer-based mapping (GIS), maps skills, interesting photographs, fieldworks skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. Students will be able to improve their literacy through report writing and written work, and make practical use of their numeracy skills when interpreting data and constructing graphs. Throughout KS4 students will undertake multiple field trips to put their studies into practice, enhancing their understanding of topics and developing their practical skills.

Year 10 students will continue to develop their studies of UK Rivers, and explore the changing economic world, the living world (ecosystems, rainforests and desserts), UK physical landscapes focusing on coasts.

Students in Year 11 will further build upon their knowledge of UK coasts, and learn about the challenges of resource management before comprehensively reviewing all their GCSE studies in preparation for their exams.