Key Stage 3 - Year 7-9

Geography is taught in six mixed ability classes which tend to be between 27 and 30 students in size.

The Key Stage 3 course aims to provide students with the core knowledge, understanding and skills to become outstanding geographers, and aims to stimulate interest in the subject. In Year 7, students gain a knowledge and sense of place, develop their map skills and begin to study geographical issues from a local to global scale. In Year 8 and Year 9, students progress to investigate a wider range of issues, and by Year 9 they will have progressed to work more independently, analyse geographical data in detail, appreciate different viewpoints, show greater creativity and make and justify geographical decisions.

Fieldwork is used to develop curiosity in the subject and support learning. Year 7 students collect data on the environmental quality of the school site and participate in a day fieldtrip to Stockley Farm, Cheshire. Year 8 students collect data on infiltration rates on the school site and participate in a day fieldtrip to the Peak District to study rivers and tourism. Year 9 students participate in a day fieldtrip to Salford Quays to investigate the impacts of urban regeneration.

Year 8 rivers fieldtrip, Peak District, supported by Year 12 students

Year 8 Volcano models

Year 9 urban regeneration fieldtrip, Salford Quays

The Key Stage 3 course:

Year 7	Year 8	Year 9
Connect Four – students develop their knowledge and sense of place, using global local, regional, national and global scale maps My Back Yard – students undertake an enquiry into the quality of the School environment, including School site fieldwork Vogue – students develop an understanding of how the global fashion industry operates and who the winners and losers are Shipwrecked – students solve the mystery of where they have been shipwrecked, and develop a range of map skills in the process Food for Thought – students investigate environmental issues related to the food industry, including visiting an organic farm	Last Great Wilderness – students study the geography of Antarctica and investigate conflicting viewpoints on its future Picture Postcard – students study changes in tourism and undertake an enquiry into the tourism patterns of Year 8 students Snap, Crackle and Pop! – students develop an understanding of the causes, impacts and management of volcanoes and earthquakes Go with the flow – students study the hydrological cycle and river flooding, including School site fieldwork and a fieldtrip to the Peak District. Have I got News for You - students study a range of current geographical issues, from local to global scale, in a series of one off lessons	Jungle Book - students develop their understanding of the role of climate in creating ecosystems, and investigate the tropical rainforest Out with the old... - students study the London Olympics and undertake an enquiry into urban regeneration at Salford Quays, including a day fieldtrip For Richer for Poorer – students develop and understanding of variations in development and how sustainable strategies can improve quality of life Made in China – students study the human and physical geography of China, its economic growth and the implications of rapid change Wonderworld – students investigate the location, characteristics and significance of some of the geographical wonders of the world