‘Geography is a subject that is key to our future’ – Michael Palin

‘Without Geography, you are nowhere’ – Unknown

The Birkdale Geography curriculum helps students to have an interest in, and sense of wonder about places across the globe. We aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge to make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world and to be able to critically question the world around them. We want students to be able to explain where places are, how places and landscapes are formed, how people and their environments interact, and how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are inter-connected. We will give students opportunities to build on their own experiences and to investigate places at all scales from the personal to the global and to think it is possible to travel and explore for themselves.

Our students will develop their geographical enquiry skills by questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future. We want students to learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems [GIS], to obtain, present and analyse information. Our students will become global citizens by understanding how historical events have shaped modern day geography, and by exploring their own place in the world; their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.

1. Map skills including grid references
2. Sustainable development goals
3. Climate change
4. Spheres and their interconnection
5. Resource management

The studying of geography gives students an opportunity to understand the world that they live in and helps to foster skills which gives them an advantage in their social and professional lives. Students are given local, national and international examples to support their learning and where ever possible we focus on ‘what’s in the news’ to make use of current events and activities.

Our lessons give the opportunity to make links with the wider world,by taking the students to visit places in person or virtually.

We encourage students to read to support their learning and support their access to subject specific vocabulary.

The boys receive equal opportunity to develop their geographical capability, by being taught in mixed ability classes. The offer is the same to each year group and there are no tiered or additional papers to access.

All members of the department have and use a visualizer to model and scaffold learning, in order to make challenging content more accessible.

Integral to understanding place is the ability to develop thinking skills. We actively encourage students to question the things they see within geography and develop a curiosity about the world, why and how things have happened and what the impact or implications might be in the future.

Thinking like a geographer is key and there are many different opportunities for students to develop, apply and demonstrate their thinking. We regularly use thinking keys to encourage thinking in different ways. Thinking maps help geographers organise their thoughts and identify key facts and figures, developing context when applying the frame of reference to new concepts.

Students are assessed termly across the year to enable students’ progress to be closely monitored and identify areas of success and areas to be developed. To support their study, students can revise through the Seneca Learning website where they can use the learning modules to enhance their understanding. Students are encouraged to think about geography in current times through the news and current situations in the world. Teaching staff often meet to discuss and share teaching strategies to further enhance the educational experience that is offered to all students.