Geography

The KS3 Geography curriculum at PLS is broad ranging, with a combination of human and physical Geography, that includes topics such as Map Skills, Climate Change and Globalisation. The curriculum is designed to prepare students for GCSE study as well as giving all a grounding in the foundational skills and knowledge of the discipline. The subject is taught as a topic-based system, which enables students to develop a strong foundation of geographical skills including cartographic, numerical, and graphical skills. Students develop a knowledge of both local Geography, including London and the UK as well as other countries in the world, e.g., China.

Currently, students are delivered one hour a week of Geography in Year 7 and Year 8, and two hours in Year 9. Each termly module has a main topic focus, with an occasional single lesson emphasis on a specific geographical skill, in order to secure understanding of that skill. Broadly, each module will feature:

• A knowledge organiser of key questions for the units studied.
• Regular quizzing to practice retention and recall.
• A focus on at least on geographical skill including cartographic, numerical, and graphical.
• A hinge question – a mixture of short and extended questions.
• An assessment that repeats the skill practiced in the hinge question, as well as recall practice.
• Opportunities for extended writing.

At KS4, Geography is a very popular GCSE subject. Students are taught GCSE Geography three hours a week, covering the WJEC Eduqas Specification A course. Students are taught a series of different topics, to prepare them for their GCSE examinations. In addition, students are also required to experience a range of fieldwork and the skills that underpin this. Recent fieldwork locations have included The Olympic Park at Stratford and the North Kent coast at Reculver.

Examination Board: Welsh Joint Examinations Commitee (WJEC)