At Beckfoot Thornton, we inspire students’ curiosity about the world around them.
Students are taught how the physical environment is everchanging and becomingly increasingly vulnerable to the impact of human life. As geographers, students will become fascinated by the world, inspired by current affairs including economic development at varying levels of wealth, the significant threat of climate change and recognise their own ‘footprint’ and contribution to these topics at local and global geographical scales. The Geography curriculum is designed to equip students with the skills to understand the interrelationship between human and physical geography. By studying a range of diverse topics, students understand sustainability and fragility of the planet.
Enrichment
During your study of geography at Beckfoot Thornton, there will be a range of opportunities available to enrich students subject knowledge. This includes:
- Fieldwork opportunities in both physical and human environments
- Year 7 competition to design a flag that will be sent to Antarctica
Assessment
Formative and summative assessments will take place throughout the year to monitor pupils progress and further inform teaching and learning.
KS4 Specification
Careers
Geography is a diverse subject that not only develops transferable skills but also a range of knowledge including the study of the Earth’s physical features, climate patterns, human populations, and their interactions with the environment. Geography offers a wide range of career opportunities for individuals interested in exploring and understanding our world.
Curriculum Overview
| Year | Cycle 1 | Cycle 2 | Cycle 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 7 | Fantastic places: Review students knowledge of continents and oceans using longitude and latitude as well as OS map skills UK Geography: Where do we live? How does our physical geography vary across the UK? | Geology and rivers: How does geology influence our landscape? Introduction to how rivers shape our landscape and the landforms this creates Climate change: Students will understand the impact of human activity on the planet and how this can be mitigated in the future | Glaciation: How does ice shape the landscape? This topic looks at how glaciers erode and move material and how glaciers shaped our landscape |
| Year 8 | Urbanisation: We will look at why more people are moving to cities and and the opportunities and challenges people face Natural hazards: Here we study the theory of tectonic plates and the natural hazards that are created including earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions | Natural hazards: Atmospheric hazards and their impact on human environments Population: Where populations live and why people move from place to place, what dangers they may face on the journey | China: Looking at the physical geography and culture of China Globalisation and development: How does our increasingly connected world have both positive and negative impacts on people and the environment |
| Year 9 | The Middle East: Mapping countries in the Middle East as well as the physical geography, study the rise of cities like Dubai and how it is trying to become more sustainable Ocean plastics: Study the impact of plastic in our oceans and understand how ocean currents have a significant impact on climates | Ecosystems: Developing understanding of ecosystems and biomes and how plants and animals are adapted to their environments, the negative impacts humans are having on ecosystems Russia: the physical geography of Russia and its influence on the world today | Urban change: Rio De Janeiro, opportunities and challenges of living in a megacity Urbanisation: decision making exercise |
| Year 10 | Urban change: London case study Rivers: How do rivers shape our landscape? Exploring causes of flooding and prevention strategies | Rivers continued Natural hazards: Explore tectonic theory, tectonic and atmospheric hazards and the impacts of global warming on our climate | Ecosystems: Review our knowledge on tropical rainforests and explore the opportunities and challenges faced by humans, plants and animals in cold environments |
| Year 11 | Coastal environments: Explore the coastal landscape and how coastal erosion is having a negative impact on our coastlines Fieldwork component: Investigate whether Hornsea’s sea defenses are effective as well as the discussing if Hornsea as facilities for tourists | Economic world: investigate why the World is socially and economically uneven. Explore how Nigeria is becoming a Newly Emerging Econom Explore how the UK has developed socially and economically. Investigate strategies used to reduce the north-south divide and the UK’s position in the wider World Resource management: how can the resources we have been managed sustainably for the 8 billion people living on the planet.
| Pre-release: investigate a topic on a current issue which will be examined on in paper 3 alongside the fieldwork component |