Curriculum Sequence

Please click on the icons below to view the curriculum sequence for each Key Stage.  The curriculum sequence will show you what students should know and be able to do in the subject, alongside the key ‘tier 3’ subject specific vocabulary that your child needs to understand to allow them to access the deeper curriculum.  The curriculum sequence also lists the ‘key assessment questions’ each term/half term that your child will be asked during assessments to help your child to prepare effectively, as well as the ‘disciplinary rigour’ which explains the methods, conventions, rules and practices that are specific to that subject.

Curriculum Intent

Where would anyone be without Geography? It is the subject that binds all others together.  We want our students to have a love of the natural world and the people in it.  We also want them to become the mechanics of the world and understand the ongoing complex interactions of both Physical, Human and Environmental Geography. The intention is that students know what is happening around them locally, regionally, nationally and globally. We want them to become responsible global citizens, to gain a sense of place and understanding in an ever-changing environment. We also aim to provide each student with a range of cultural capital experiences throughout the key stages and to equip students with life skills that will benefit them through their life and into the world of work. Our intent is to extend learning to outside of the classroom through Microsoft Teams and extra-curricular activities such as virtual experiences, gamification, news articles and fieldtrips to Chester Zoo, the North Wales coast and Stafford. The intent of the Geography department and it curriculum is to support, to promote and enrich the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of our pupils.

‘Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future’ Michael Palin

KS3

KS4

Geography curriculum at KS4 will develop and improve upon the skills learned at KS3. The pupils will study a range and even balance of both human and physical Geography topics. This will give them a broad knowledge of the issues facing our society and their role in the world. The KS4 Geography curriculum is designed to encourage students to think critically about the world, their local area and humanity’s role in it. Through links with other subjects the aim is for skills to be embedded and applied consistently so that learners can tackle a range of geographical problems with confidence. Students will be given regular formative and summative assessment and the opportunity to study exemplar responses. The Geography departments aim is for students to be reflective and review their learning in order to promote independent study, to identify their weakness’, to improve on them and to prepare them for the next transition into further study or employment.

KS5 (if applicable)

Geography: “it’s the must-have A-level”. The Guardian

The Geography department encourages all KS4 Geographers to consider A level as an option due its facilitating appeal. As The Royal Geographical Society states ‘geography opens doors to other degrees such as business and administrative studies, law, engineering and technology, and the other social physical sciences’. At KS5 we follow the AQA A-level Geography course for its continuity from GCSE and Key Stage 3. Our intent is to allow the geographers to become independent thinkers who constantly analyse and critique geographical processes and models. To be able to apply these to real life situations and their NEA (independent study).

Curriculum Implementation

The department has three experienced staff with each over 10 years of teaching experience. All the teachers have the same level of ambition for all students and the Geography department uses a range of resources and skills to support disadvantaged learners. A range of students have learning passports that include implementation strategies to support learning. One of the strategies that assists many SEND children is the use of Knowledge organisers and topic glossaries. The department publishes much of its work on a shared area (TEAMS), so students have the ability to download the relevant material and use for independent study. As students progress through the Key stages, they are encouraged to submit work electronically using The Teams/ emails as well as in the written form necessary for examination practice.

End of Course Assessment

GCSE

A-level

Career Links

St Thomas More has its very own dedicated careers team.  To find out more about careers at St Thomas More, please click here. 

Tips and Advice

There are a whole host of books to read and TV programmes to watch at each Key stage. The geography department’s favourites for each key stage are listed below. If you are intrigued to find out more then visit the department’s Geography at the Movies club or your Microsoft teams.

The departments favourite local places to visit to experience some geography in action is well, everywhere, as Geography is literally all around you. A walk around Park Hall or Hem Heath woods is Geography. A trip to festival park or a football game is Geography. Come and talk to the geography department about your trips or places you have visited or if you like we can give you some suggestions.

Further Information

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/as-and-a-level/geography-7037

https://www.rgs.org/

https://www.geography.org.uk/home

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239087/SECONDARY_national_curriculum_-_Geography.pdf

Subject Leader Information

For more information or if you have any questions please use the contact details below.

Mr G D Millington – Subject Leader gmillington@stmca.org.uk