Geography at Priestley Smith: KS3 Rationale

At Priestley Smith, opportunities are given throughout KS3 to reinforce and revisit topics studied during the KS2 programmes of study. This may be necessary for those pupils who have a slower rate of learning as a result of additional learning difficulties or a more limited set of experiences linked to reduced incidental learning.

Place knowledge is reinforced through an ongoing topic of the UK, Europe and the World, as well as in depth studies of Kenya, Italy and Japan. Both human and physical aspects are covered when studying these countries. For example, climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes are examined, as well as settlements, land use, economic activity and energy production.

Map work is reinforced in Year 7, including directions, grid references, symbols and keys. Due to its ‘spatial aspect’, mapwork is an area of study often requiring additional time and re-inforcment for students with a visual impairment.

Fieldwork is also used as a means to further develop skills in recording and analysing data. Plans and graphs are used to record information, and digital technologies are utilised to research and record results.

In KS3, pupils’ understanding of ‘location’ is ongoing, and incorporated into targeted themes and topics. For example, spatial awareness of the world’s countries is developed through a focus on current affairs, including disease/ famine in relation to Africa, current geopolitical affairs in the Middle East and Russia, and the economics through China and India. The environmental regions of these countries are also studied during the topic of Natural Environments. Geographical similarities and differences are considered in relation to an LEDC – Less Economically Developed Country, (Kenya) and an MEDC – More Economically Developed Country, (Japan).

In relation to Physical processes, geological timescales and plate tectonics are studied in Year 8, as well as weathering, soils and rocks

Weather and climate is studied in Year 7, including a consideration of climate change. We return to this area of study throughout the key stage.

Human geography is covered in a study of the primary, secondary and tertiary sectors in Year 8, and in Year 9 this is developed into a study of population and urbanisation in relation to Kenya. The use of natural resources is also examined when considering economic activity in Kenya, Japan and Italy.

Understanding how human and physical processes interact is examined through studies of weather and climate (Year 7), natural environments Year 9 and coasts Year 8.

Due to access’ difficulties for pupils with visual impairment, it has been decided to omit the use of aerial and satellite photographs for most pupils, and in some cases the use of Geographical Information Systems is also omitted.

KEY STAGE 3 GEOGRAPHY CURRICULUM PLAN 2014
Ongoing topics throughout all of KS3:
The UK, Europe and the World.
Focus on geographical locational knowledge, facts and current events.
Focus on Africa (disease, famine), Russia (current events), Asia (the Chinese and Indian economies). The Middle East (current events).
Year 7 /
  • What is geography? Brief introduction. The differences between physical and human geography.
  • Map work: plans, directions, keys.
  • Settlement and traffic. Different types of settlements with a focus on traffic. Fieldwork: MiddletonVillage. Birmingham City Centre- including traffic and building use.
  • Weather and climate of the British Isles. Incorporating wider world issues relating to climate change- glaciation and global warming. How human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems.

Year 8 /
  • Physical features: weathering, erosion, rivers and coasts. Fieldwork (Plantsbrook in SuttonPark). Geological timescales.
  • Primary activities: emphasis on farming. Investigation. Secondary and tertiary activities- focus on Birmingham City Centre.
  • Hazards: volcanoes and earthquakes. Emphasis on the effects upon and responses of local populations. Plate tectonics.
  • A study of an MEDC. Japan.

Year 9 /
  • A study of an LEDC. Kenya. To include an introduction to migration and sustainable environment. Population and urbanisation. The use of natural resources. Looking at similarities and differences between Kenya and Japan. International development.
  • Natural environments: Climates and vegetations of the world. Fieldwork: Botanical Gardens. Including hot deserts and polar regions. How human and physical processes change the landscape (rainforest).
  • European Study: Italy- including a study and comparison of the north and south. Tourism in Italy. Comparison between Italy and China.
  • Extension topic- Geographical skills.