Geography is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). Human geography is about understanding of the dynamics of cultures, societies and economies, and physical geography is about understanding the dynamics of physical landscapes and the environment.

The key concepts which underpin the study of Geography are interdependence, environmental interaction, sustainable development, cultural understanding and physical processes. Students will deepen and broaden their knowledge of these concepts through studying a range of topics, all linking explicitly to the national curriculum. Students will be taught physical geography (e.g. tectonic processes, tropical rainforests, coastal processes, climate change) and human geography (e.g. China, population, global inequalities, climate change). When studying these topics, students will also encounter key concepts that they will be able to apply in other subjects (e.g. Science, Maths).

Students will study both familiar and unfamiliar places to introduce new concepts as well as reinforcing those learned in KS2. Students will use key concepts and apply them in other schemes of learning focusing on key physical and human geography topics. Links between and within the schemes of learning will be made throughout so that students appreciate geography as a ‘whole’, giving them breadth and depth of knowledge and preparing them for the complexities of exams at KS4 and KS5. Throughout KS3 Geography, students will have opportunities to gain experience in using maps, satellite images and GIS. Students will also have opportunities to undertake fieldwork during lessons in the local area and go on various trips (e.g. Living Rainforest, Denham Country Park. A range of skills will be taught throughout KS3 Geography which will be crucial for life beyond Rooks Heath and in the workplace (ICT, literacy, resilience, research, oral communication, numeracy, time management).