Curriculum Leader: Mr R Ames - amesr@alkerdenacademy.co.uk

"Geography at Alkerden: people, places and planet in action ​​​."

• To Cultivate Geographical Knowledge: We will provide learners with a deep and comprehensive understanding of both physical and human geography. They will explore key concepts such as plate tectonics, climate change, ecosystems, population dynamics, and urbanisation. This knowledge will provide the foundation for understanding the diversity of places and the challenges facing our planet. 
• To Develop Essential Skills: Our curriculum is built on the development of practical geographical skills. Learners will be taught to interpret and create a range of maps, analyse geographical data, and use GIS (Geographic Information Systems). Fieldwork will be an integral part of their learning, allowing them to collect and analyse data in real-world contexts and apply their classroom knowledge. 
• To Foster a Sense of Place: We want learners to understand their own place in the world, from their local community to a global scale. By studying different cultures, landscapes, and economies, they will develop a greater appreciation for the diversity of our planet and the interconnectedness of its people. 
• To Prepare for the Future: The curriculum addresses key contemporary issues, including sustainability, resource management, and social justice. We will encourage learners to think critically about these challenges and to consider their own role in creating a more equitable and sustainable future. Our intent is to equip them with the tools to question, analyse, and contribute positively to the world around them. 

Learners have 3 lessons a fortnight, following a carefully sequenced and planned series of events.  

Our Key Stage 3 (KS3) geography curriculum aims to cultivate a deep sense of curiosity about the world and its people. We don't just teach facts; we empower learners to become informed and active global citizens who understand the complex relationship between human activity and the physical environment. 

• Knowledge and Understanding: Learners gain a strong, contextual understanding of both human and physical geography. They explore a range of topics from global climate systems and plate tectonics to urbanisation and population dynamics. This provides them with the foundational knowledge needed to make sense of current events and global challenges. 
• Geographical Skills: Our curriculum trains learners to think like geographers. They learn to critically analyse data, interpret a variety of maps, and apply GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to solve problems. This promotes a healthy scepticism towards information and fosters a precise understanding of space and location. 
• Empathy and Perspective: By studying diverse cultures, places, and landscapes, learners develop a greater appreciation for the world's rich diversity. This fosters tolerance, empathy, and a global outlook, helping them to understand different ways of life and the challenges faced by people in various parts of the world. 
• Literacy and Communication: Geography is a literacy-rich subject. Learners develop advanced reading skills by engaging with complex sources and learn to communicate their ideas effectively through structured reports, presentations, and debates. This builds strong communication skills that are transferable across all subjects.

Geography at Alkerden reflects our Alkerden Heart - deepening curiosity about people, places and planet, developing critical skills for understanding our world, and empowering learners to act as responsible global citizens.

• European Countries
• Country Names
• BBC Bitesize - GCSE Geography

• Funnest Way to Learn
• Internet Geography