Geography

Subject Intent

Geography equips students with the skills, curiosity, and confidence to engage actively with the world around them, making learning interactive, meaningful, and accessible for all.

At The Park School, we recognise the critical importance of equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to engage responsibly and sustainably with both physical landscapes and human societies. We place a strong emphasis on environmental awareness and practical map skills, striving to empower students to make informed, ethical, and positive decisions. This subject aims to develop practical fieldwork competencies, foster critical thinking about global issues, and encourage creative problem-solving. Through hands-on fieldwork, students gain direct exposure to the world outside the classroom, turning geographical concepts into vital life skills like personal independence, navigation, and teamwork. Through structured, real-world applications, students are prepared to navigate the world confidently and understand their role as global citizens.

  • Develop Geographical & Life Skills: Gain essential map reading, compass, and spatial skills to navigate the world independently.

  • Foster Problem Solving: Reflect on human impacts on the planet, analysing natural hazards to identify real-world problems and propose solutions.

  • Promote Fieldwork & Data Literacy: Step outside the classroom to conduct local surveys, building environmental confidence and collaborative teamwork.

  • Encourage Global Awareness: Understand diverse cultures, economies, and environments—from local UK towns to Japan, Ghana, and Sudan.

  • Prepare for the Future: Build transferable communication, time management, and independence, supported by the OCR Entry Level Certificate pathway.

     

Curriculum Overview

All year groups have 1 Geography lesson per week. In Years 9 and 10, students work towards the OCR Entry Level Certificate (a practical qualification designed to build and recognise core skills over two years). Practical fieldwork and specialised projects are woven throughout to teach functional life skills.

Term Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 (Entry Level) Year 10 (Entry Level)
Autumn

• Intro to Geography & Local Site

 

• Local Area Settlements

• Coasts

 

• Tourism in Europe

Topic 2: Destructive World

 

• Earthquakes & Volcanoes

Topic 2: Destructive World

 

• Flooding Case Studies

 

• Rainforest Tropical Project
Spring

• Investigating the UK

 

• Investigating Rivers

• Weather and Climate

 

• Climate Change

Topic 1: Our World

 

• Changing UK Challenges

Topic 1: Our World

 

• Changing World & Megacities

 

• Fairtrade Fieldwork Project

(with ASDA Supermarket Visit)
Summer

• Countries of the World

 

• Basic Map Skills

• Japan (Asia)

 

• Africa (Ghana & Sudan)

Topic 3: Resourceful World

 

• Rainforest Ecosystems

Topic 3: Resourceful World

 

• Global Resources & Energy Mix

 

• Coursework Completion & Review

 

How We Assess in Geography

At The Park School, Geography is assessed through a combination of practical activities, observations, and project work. Pupils are given meaningful, hands-on tasks to demonstrate their understanding and life skills in real-world contexts.

Assessment methods include:

  • Fieldwork Observations: Checking safety, cooperation, and data collection out in the community (such as during the Year 10 ASDA supermarket visit).

  • School Site Applications: Applying data to suggest improvements for the school site.

  • Creative Projects: Creating customised maps, country profiles, tropical rainforest displays, and climate action posters.

  • Map Skills & Quizzes: Checking vocabulary, grid accuracy, and compass navigation.

  • Portfolio Tracking: Monitoring progress against the OCR Entry Level Certificate criteria across Key Stage 4.

Our approach is flexible and supportive, ensuring all learners can show progress in ways that suit their individual strengths and communication styles.

 

Enrichment Opportunities

To enhance the Geography curriculum, we offer a range of enrichment activities that inspire curiosity and deepen independence. These include:

  • Community Fieldwork Trips: Visiting local businesses and amenities—such as our Year 10 fieldwork trip to ASDA—to look at global trade, food supply chains, and ethical product displays in action.

  • On-Site Surveys: Planning and executing real-world data collection around the school grounds.

  • Practical Pathfinding: Hands-on workshops using physical compasses, scales, and maps.

  • Environmental Campaigns: Designing persuasive visual posters to promote recycling and energy conservation.

     

How You Can Support Your Child with Their Learning

You do not need to be a geography expert to support your child’s learning. Here are some simple, practical ways to help at home:

  • Examine grocery origins – Look at packaging at home or during your weekly food shop to see where items come from. Spot the Fairtrade logo on items like bananas, chocolate, or tea and talk about how this helps farmers globally.

  • Practice basic directions – Use compass points (North, South, East, West), left/right markers, or landmarks when out walking to build independent navigation.

  • Explore maps together – Use digital tools (like Google Earth) or road maps when planning trips to look at local towns and cities.

  • Talk about the environment – Discuss daily weather changes, or choices at home like sorting recycling, saving energy, and protecting rainforest ecosystems.

  • Connect with global news – Chat about global events, diverse cultures, or places they are learning about, like Japan or Africa.

  • Celebrate progress – Ask your child to show you their work, tell you about their trip to ASDA to look at Fairtrade products, or explain their ideas for improving their local community.