Aim

• To understand the importance of the subject and how it impacts on them and the world around them
• To understand global issues
• To be environmentally aware and have a personal responsibility for the planet. Students should know what they can do to be environmentally sustainable
• To be politically aware and understand the changes that are happening in their world

Students should know where the places they study are. Throughout the whole of the Key Stage, we have attempted to maintain a balance between human and physical geography. When we study physical geography, students will learn how humans interact with these environments and how they can both affect or be affected by the physical environment. Human geography should help students to become global citizens and understand the politics of what is happening in their world.

Topics covered

• Natural hazards 
• Development
• Sustainability
• Africa

The topic 'Africa' at the end of Year 9 is a synoptic unit that returns to key ideas from the whole of Key Stage 3 and also offers the opportunity to look at misconceptions on the continent. By structuring the course in this way, we are able to revisit previous learning which supports the King Edward VII learning model.

Teaching groups

Students are taught in form groups.

Assessment

Students complete two Year 9 summative assessments per year, testing cumulative substantive knowledge and developing disciplinary knowledge. Further to this, there are topic tasks that offer formative assessment opportunities.

How to support at home

• Encouraging children to be environmentally aware
• Participating in discussions with your child about environmental and geographical issues in the news and media
• Providing access to an Atlas at home
• Encouraging children to map read on travels
• Encouraging children to read books that are related to the topics we study in lessons