Bluecoat Aspley Academy Geography Curriculum Intent Statement
The Archway Learning Trust Geography curriculum recognises that a coherent understanding of geography enables young people to engage with and reflect upon the rapidly changing world around them. Our curriculum offers students the chance to explore their surroundings and develop their decision-making skills whilst feeling a sense of wonder about the natural environment. As students’ progress on their geographical journey, their appreciation of the importance of their role in current geographical issues will develop allowing them to become more conscience of their own social responsibility. The curriculum aims to give students the opportunity to develop their geographical curiosity about a variety of issues through investigation, both inside and outside the classroom with a number of fieldwork opportunities available. Students will develop an awareness of a variety of spaces and places at a range of different scales, they will assess the challenges taking place in both physical environments and human environments, whilst recognising the importance of adapting to these sustainably. Students should leave Archway with an ability to recognise the interdependent nature of geography and understand that no geographical concepts can be applied in isolation.
Expand each Key Stage to access the Curriculum Map and see an overview of what is covered in this subject:
Throughout KS3 in Geography we aim to introduce pupils to a variety of topics and build on skills both in and outside of the classroom during our 1 hour timetabled lesson. The topics are both human and physical and taught at a range of scales from local to global, enabling pupils to draw upon and go beyond their lived experiences. We also develop essential skills throughout for example map skills and data interpretation. Pupils are able to develop their knowledge and understanding of how the physical and human worlds connect and have a sense of curiosity about the world whilst allowing them to gain knowledge about our ever increasingly connected world. Throughout lessons we look to retrieve information throughout the year ensuring that prior learning is continually reviewed. Flipped learning is set enduring homework time and we look to we use a variety of stimulus for example GIS maps, videos, pictures and dual coding.
At KS4 we have two hours a week and we follow the AQA 9-1 specification. Throughout KS4 we balance the demands of the course by splitting the human and physical topics and we look to build on skills both in and outside of the classroom. Throughout the course human and physical topics are taught at a range of scales from local to global. We also develop essential skills throughout for example map skills and data interpretation and complete fieldwork at two locations, the Holderness coast investigation coastal processes and an Urban fieldwork around Nottingham or Lincoln. Pupils are able to take their knowledge and understanding from KS3 topics such as Rivers and apply this to their GCSE course. This allows them to appreciate how the physical and human worlds connect and this heightens their sense of curiosity about the world whilst allowing them to gain knowledge about their role in the societies of the future. We look to retrieve information and skills throughout the year ensuring that prior learning is continually reviewed, Flipped learning is set enduring homework time and we look to we use a variety of stimulus for example GIS maps, videos, pictures and dual coding. AQA Geography 9-1 Specification
At KS5 we follow the Edexcel Geography A level and have five hours of timetabled lessons and four days of compulsory fieldwork. We have two teachers who specialise in either Human or Physical Geography, however pupils are constantly reminded of the interwoven nature of the course. We are passionate about extending our students knowledge and understanding of current affairs and they are required to come to lessons with a weekly news topic which is related to their course on both sides. Students are also encouraged to read around the subject with an increasingly stocked library which has benefitted our pupils in their University interviews. The topics are both human and physical at a range of scales from local to global. We also develop essential skills throughout for example map skills and data interpretation. Pupils are able to develop their knowledge and understanding of how the physical and human worlds connect and have a sense of curiosity about the world whilst allowing them to gain knowledge about our ever increasingly connected world. Edexcel A Level Geography Specification
