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Key Stage 3 |
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KS3 Geography is a series of dynamic, engaging units of work which aim to excite and encourage a passion for Geography throughout. It is important that students gain an understanding of their changing world and how it may affect them. With growing concerns of climate change, it is important for students to understand the risk of tropical storms as well as the importance of vital ecosystems in balancing our climate such as tropical rainforests and with changing demands and worries about deforestation. We aim to teach students about the nature of the world's geography such as rising populations and how this is linked to issues such as energy, farming, pollution, and sustainability. It is our responsibility to encourage students to be critical thinkers. It is essential that our students learn how to assess and evaluate options before making decisions. Where possible students are provided with an understanding of what it means to be a global citizen. This will encourage respect for other cultures and the environment. It is also pertinent that young people think sustainably and consider the most effective long-term global solution to any problem, let alone significant global issues. |
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Year 7 aims to introduce our students to the nature of Geography and then appreciate the scope of the subject whilst at the same time demonstrating how closely linked it is to our day to day lives. After learning about the differences between human and physical geography we look at Our Local Area and how we are connected to the rest of the world. We then apply the physical and human geography to the continent of Africa and start to consider the challenges facing the continent. The focus for the remainder of the year is very much built around physical geography where students learn about processes linked to Rivers, Ice and Plate Tectonics. (Earthquakes & volcanoes).
Year 8 builds upon the skills and understanding developed in Year 7. We start by looking at Russia and consider how important it is to the world. Whilst studying the country students are introduced to the concept of natural resources and how important they are for economic growth. Following this we look at Population and explore the links between natural resources, development and population. Following on from the Africa unit in Year 7 students are introduced to the continent of Asia through which they learn about issues surrounding growing urban populations as well as the impact of deforestation in Nepal. The last part of the year looks at our Weather & Climate in which there is an opportunity to undertake fieldwork in the school grounds investigating the school micro-climate. Finally we finish with a popular topic, the Tropical Rainforests of the world. A comparison between our lives and those of the indigenous people of the Amazon rainforest always elicits some interesting discussions.
This is an exciting year where the skills and knowledge from previous years are brought together to prepare students for the GSCE course. Having studied Africa and Asia in year 7 & 8 the focus is now turned to the concept of Development. Students have the chance to compare their lives with other parts of the world as well as consider how we can make a difference in the future. The final region of the world we consider is the Middle East. Through this unit students are made aware of how important resources such as water and energy and how they can lead to conflict. We build upon this in a unit devoted just to Resources and consider our responsibility towards a sustainable use of earth’s resources. The final topics of the year continue to build on synoptic links as we consider Climate change, the Global economy and finally Climatic hazards.