Years 7 & 8 Curriculum - Geography

Half Term YEAR 7 YEAR 8
Autumn 1 Map & atlas skills
Students develop their skills in using atlas and map skills. They will focus on how to navigate atlases and will develop key skills in measuring scale; 4/6 figure grid references; identifying map symbols and developing other navigational skills.		 Our risky world
This unit introduces students to ‘Natural Hazards’. There is a focus upon tectonic hazards (earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes) with students adopting a “cause, effect, management” approach to these hazards. Case studies will allow students to contextualise their learning whilst developing their evaluation skills in what are the best methods to protect HICs and LICs from these risks. This unit will allow for further development of atlas and map reading skills developed throughout Year 7 and begins to get students to consider thinking holistically about the links between ‘physical’ and ‘human’ geography.
Autumn 2 Fantastic Jurassic
Students develop their understanding of key geographical processes and landforms found along our local stretch of UNESCO coastline. This topic allows students to embed the map skills learned earlier in the year and provides an opportunity to study some of the most interesting physical geography on our planet.
Spring 1 Cold environments
Students begin studying some of the most extreme environments on earth, starting with polar climates. They will learn how to explain differences in temperature around the World; consider animal/human adaptations and will begin to identify the opportunities of exploiting polar environments. However, the challenges of unchecked exploitation will also be considered, allowing students to evaluate human impact on such environments.

Global development
In this unit students are introduced to ‘global development’ – identifying and describing differing levels of development between different countries; explaining the complex reasoning for it and beginning to consider ways to reduce the ‘development gap’. Attention is paid both to historical/present day development in the UK but also trends in global development. India is used as a case study of a newly emerging economy (NEE) and the various challenges that uneven development in India is having is also considered. As with all other Year 7/8 topics, this unit prepares students for the content and skills which they will be assessed on at GCSE. Assessment is by way of written exams but also enquiry based learning and sustainable decision-making exercises.
Spring 2 Hot deserts
In this unit students will develop their opportunities/challenges approach (as seen in Spring 1) but for another extreme environment – hot deserts. Consideration will be given to environmental, social and economic impacts for a variety of desert environments around the World.
Summer 1 Tropical rainforests
Building on from the skills learned in Key Stage 2, this unit is a favourite for many. Students will consider the location of TRFs around the World and will evaluate the opportunities and challenges arising from wide spread deforestation. They will study the Amazon Rainforest as a case study and begin to evaluate the varying impacts of such exploitation on different stakeholders, including the international community.

Rivers
In this unit students are introduced to the topic of rivers and flooding. They will begin by identifying the anatomy of a drainage basin and learning the key terminology required. Students will learn about both river processes and landforms before moving on to evaluate the most effective forms of river management for LICs, NEEs and HICs. A case study to contextualise the learning will also be investigated.

Year 8 exam
In addition, this term students will also undertake their Year 8 exam. The exam will follow the format of a 45 minute paper which includes both short and long-answer questions. The paper will include topics from both Year 7 and 8 and will assess understanding of at least one case study in detail. Dedicated revision time will be allocated in class for preparing students; however, previous learning materials (e.g. Home Learning activities and exercise books) will also be invaluable in allowing students to access the highest grades possible.