“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future” – Michael Palin.
“The truth is: the natural world is changing. And we are totally dependent on that world. It provides our food, water and air. It is the most precious thing we have and we need to defend it.” – David Attenborough.
At The Sullivan Centre, our Geography curriculum for KS3 and KS4 is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become inquisitive and creative citizens who understand their role in society, both nationally and globally.
Through our curriculum, students will learn to analyse the social, economic, and environmental impacts of human activity, developing critical thinking and evaluation skills that will serve them well in their future lives.
Our curriculum will explore British culture and diversity, with a particular focus on migration and the cultural opportunities that arise from it. Students will gain an appreciation of the rich tapestry of cultures that make up our society, and learn how to respect and celebrate differences.
We aim to develop students’ awareness of their roles and responsibilities as global citizens. Through our curriculum, students will learn about the wider world and the challenges facing it, from climate change to global inequality. They will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to understand their place in the world and to make a positive contribution to society.
Overall, our Geography curriculum at The Sullivan Centre is designed to equip students with the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to become active and engaged citizens of the world. We are committed to providing an education that is both rigorous and inclusive, and we look forward to working with our students to help them achieve their full potential.
Geography at KS3
At The Sullivan Centre, our KS3 Geography curriculum is designed to provide students with a solid foundation in the subject, regardless of their prior knowledge or experience.
Principles of study at KS3 are:
– Engage pupils in local and global issues to develop skills and build global awareness.
-Make links between social, economic and environmental issues. Develop links to see the interactions between geographical aspects.
-Exploring and understanding the opportunities and challenges of quality of life and sustainability.
-Provide an introduction to fieldwork and data collection and analysis skills through the varied curriculum content.
-Understand the opportunity of studying Geography to aid in their academic development.
We recognise that students may start with varying levels of geographical knowledge, so we place a strong emphasis on integrating key concepts and vocabulary throughout our curriculum. This allows all students to build a common language and understanding of geography, which is essential for progressing in the subject.
Our curriculum is structured around a range of topics that explore key geographical concepts such as development, globalization, and standard of living. Throughout each topic, we use a range of activities and resources to help students develop a sound understanding of these concepts, including case studies, data analysis, and group work.
We also believe in providing students with hands-on opportunities to build their skills as geographers. This includes opportunities for fieldwork, data collection, and the use of OS maps. By developing these skills, students will gain a deeper understanding of the subject and be better equipped to tackle more advanced topics in the future.
Another key aspect of our curriculum is the development of students’ use of geographical terminology. By mastering the language of geography, students will be able to communicate their ideas more effectively and engage in more meaningful discussions about the subject.
Overall, our KS3 Geography curriculum at The Sullivan Centre is designed to be challenging, engaging, and accessible to all students, regardless of their starting point. By focusing on key concepts and building practical skills, we aim to help students become confident and competent geographers who are well-prepared for future study and the wider world.
Geography at KS4
Geography is not always an option at Key Stage 4, this is dependent on student voice each year. If chosen our KS4 Geography curriculum builds on the strong foundation of knowledge and skills developed during KS3. Our aim is to provide students with a deeper understanding of key geographical concepts and to help them develop the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to succeed in their future studies and careers.
KS4 Key principles are:
- Human and Physical Geography links and interactions.
- Sustainable environment management.
- Opportunities and challenges in both higher income, lower income and developing countries to develop quality of life.
- Understand the forces which shape our natural environment.
- Geographical skills development (data collection, analysis, presentation and evaluation).
- Provide an opportunity for pupils to undertake both human and physical fieldwork and to examine the links between them.
- To provide a strong foundation which will enable them to progress successfully onto KS5 courses
One of the key goals of our KS4 Geography curriculum is to encourage flexible thinking and questioning at a higher level. By challenging students to think beyond the surface level of information and engage with more complex ideas, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of the subject and develop the skills necessary for success in higher education and the workplace.
Our curriculum also places a strong emphasis on real-life links to students’ own lives and the impact of human activity on the planet. By exploring current events and issues, we aim to develop students’ awareness of global issues and encourage them to think critically about their own role in creating a sustainable future.
Continuing the focus on vocabulary and terminology, we aim to help students become more confident in their use of geographical language. By embedding key vocabulary and encouraging students to use it more frequently, we aim to develop a deeper understanding of the subject and enhance students’ ability to communicate their ideas effectively.
Fieldwork remains an important aspect of our KS4 curriculum, with a focus on developing a greater understanding of both Physical and Human Geography. By applying their knowledge and skills in real-world settings, we aim to help students gain a deeper understanding of the subject and develop the practical skills necessary for success in higher education and the workplace.
Overall, our KS4 Geography curriculum at The Sullivan Centre is designed to build on the strong foundation of knowledge and skills developed during KS3, and to provide students with the tools necessary to succeed in their future studies and careers. By fostering critical thinking, developing key vocabulary, and providing real-life links to the subject, we aim to help students become confident and competent geographers who are well-prepared for the challenges of the modern world.
At The Sullivan Centre, we believe in a student-centered approach to Geography education. Our implementation of the KS3 and KS4 Geography curriculum is designed to provide all learners with the support and resources they need to succeed, regardless of their abilities or learning styles.
Our classrooms are designed to be welcoming and inclusive environments where all students feel comfortable sharing their ideas and participating in class discussions. We encourage a “can do” attitude among our students, and provide them with opportunities to share their passions and interests with each other.
We recognise that students have different learning needs, and we adapt our work accordingly. This includes developing work around a child’s EHCP, as well as providing support such as writing frames and other examination-style questions to help students develop the skills they need to succeed.
Our curriculum is built around up-to-date and relevant case studies and examples, which are integrated into each lesson. This helps students to understand the real-world implications of key concepts and to apply their learning in practical ways.
Geographical skills are integrated into all of our activities, and we develop new vocabulary and key concepts over time. We also place a strong emphasis on building on prior knowledge, and regularly recap key concepts and ideas to ensure that all students have a solid foundation on which to build.
Overall, our implementation of the KS3 and KS4 Geography curriculum at The Sullivan Centre is designed to be flexible, inclusive, and engaging. By focusing on student-centered learning, adapting our work to meet individual needs, and providing up-to-date and relevant resources, we aim to help all learners develop a love of geography and the skills they need to succeed both in their studies and in the wider world.
