Geography inspires a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. It equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural & human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future” – Michael Palin. 

Our intention in Geography is to empower students with knowledge about the world around us. From the built urban environment to natural formations, it is hard to interact with the modern world without having a grasp of geographic concepts. 

Our continued population growth, climate change and the impact humans are having on our world are key issues for today and for future generations. Geography has never been more important and it is our intention that students leave Alsop with a deep understanding of key geographic issues.

The curriculum plan for Geography has been carefully sequenced to create building blocks in each year group that interlink, allowing students to see the big geographic concepts.

In Year 7, we develop a range of key skills which will help students in their study of Geography, by taking them on an engaging trip around the world, looking at the key geographical influences and themes in 15 different countries. Key skills to be developed include the use of atlases, mapwork, describing locations, problem solving, decision making, interpreting information, speaking & listening and teamwork.

In Year 8 students' study ‘classic Geography’ and we build up the challenge. Students study physical processes – tectonics and weather. They learn about the impact that people are having on the natural environment. We look at the physical and human causes of climate change and the impact this is having on our world. We study rivers and coasts and look at how water shapes the landscape. We then travel to the continent of Africa to discover inequalities and a range of issues affecting development. The development of this continent (which is projected to double its population by 2050) is a current and relevant theme for Geographers world-wide.

In Year 9, Geography is about stepping up the challenge and taking a detailed look at the geopolitical dynamics that exist globally today. We look at how human and physical aspects of Geography interlink. No matter how much technology and human genius develops, we are all still, ‘Prisoners of Geography’. We look at the modern political map and consider why it is shaped this way. The land on which we live has always shaped us. It has shaped war, power, politics, and social development. Technology may seem to have overcome the distances between us, physically and mentally, but the land is hugely important and the choices of those who lead our 8 billion inhabitants will always be shaped in some way by rivers, mountains, deserts, lakes and seas.  We then move on to the hot topic of population and exponential growth. How will we support our rapidly growing population? By the end of year 9, our students will be equipped for the journey on to AQA GCSE and A-Level Geography.

Students begin their geography lessons with a knowledge recall activity to assess and reactivate prior knowledge. Teachers use questioning to draw out learning and tackle misconceptions. Teachers frequently model their thought process when writing extended answers and provide students with modelled, worked examples to support learning. Key vocabulary is shared every lesson and students are encouraged to use it in written and verbal answers. Lessons end with a plenary activity to check that all students have understood the main concepts of the lesson.

Students are assessed through formative and summative assessment. Students are given immediate feedback at the start of each lesson for the recall questions. A range of peer, self and teacher assessment is used to support learning. There is formal assessment at the end of each unit of work.

Homework aims to extend and consolidate and is shared through Bromcom, so that students and parents can see what has been set.

Each Year group has an online textbook and resources on a platform called Kerboodle. Students are encouraged to use this resource to support and extend their learning at home.

We have a number of enrichment opportunities, including visits from Action for Conservation, fieldwork opportunities around the school site as well as off site. At GCSE students have 2 fieldwork experiences. Firstly, to study coastal management along the Wirral coast and secondly to study the regeneration of the Albert Dock.  A-Level students have 5 days of fieldwork experience in Wales and they use this for the basis of their own geographic investigation.

The study of Geography can lead to a wide range of careers, including:

  • Architectural Technologist
  • Business Analyst
  • Cartographer
  • Data Analyst
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Geographical Information Systems Officer
  • Marketing Executive
  • Nature Conservation Officer
  • Social Researcher
  • Sustainability Consultant
  • Town Planner
  • Construction Manager
  • Ecologist
  • Hydrologist
  • Landscape Architect
  • Logistics and Distribution Manager
  • Market Researcher
  • Palaeontologist
  • Political Risk Analyst
  • Secondary School Teacher
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Transport Planner