The Knowledge and Skills overviews show the specific geographical content students will learn in each unit of study throughout the year. These documents outline both the substantive knowledge (locations, processes, and environmental systems) and the disciplinary skills (map reading, data analysis, and fieldwork techniques) that students will develop. Each unit is broken down to clearly identify what students need to know and what they should be able to do upon completion. Through the systematic development of both knowledge and skills, students build geographical literacy, analytical capabilities, and a deeper understanding of our world and its interconnectedness.
Select a unit to find out more...
What skills do we need to explore fantastic places?
Unit progress criteria
Knowledge
Skills
Accurately able to name and locate continents and oceans
Understand the purpose and use of different types of maps, including Ordnance Survey maps, topographical maps, and thematic maps.
Knowledge of map elements such as scale, grid references, direction, distance and symbols.
Understanding of how to interpret and analyse information presented on maps, including physical and human geographical features.
Accurately uses basic map skills to identify map symbols on an OS Map.
Accurately uses contour lines, spot heights and layer shading to interpret relief maps.
Accurately describe detailed features on a map and can interpret photographs to investigate places using a full range of geographical key terminology.
Accurately uses basic map skills including 4 figure and 6 figure grid references.
Accurately uses the 8-point compass rose to describe direction on a map.
Competence in interpreting map scale and using it to measure distances.
Why are some volcanoes and earthquakes more deadly than others?
Unit progress criteria
Knowledge
Skills
Define the earth’s structure using a full range of geographical key terminology
Describe the properties of the earth’s layers using a range of geographical key terminology
Investigate types of plate boundaries using a full range of geographical terminology
Explain the process of convection currents and how this drives plate movement.
Describe the location of volcanoes and earthquakes across the world using a full range of geographical key terminology.
Categorise the wide range of impacts facing a LIC as a result of a volcanic eruption.
Categorise the wide range of impacts facing a HIC and LIC as a result of an earthquake.
Explain the cause and effects of how a tsunami occurs using a wide range of geographical terminology.
Categorise the wide range of impacts facing a country as a result of a tsunami.
Investigate the techniques for monitoring and managing seismic hazards.
Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of why people live near volcanic hazards.
Construct and label a diagram of the earth’s structure
Match up the 4 different earth layers to their properties
Develop creative writing skills by writing a story about a journey to the earth’s core.
Produce a cartoon strip to explain the process of convection currents.
Developing annotation skills to explain the movement of different types of tectonic plates.
Accurately use basic map skills, including locating tectonic plates, 4 figure and 6 figure grid references.
Accurately use a full range of geographical key terminology.
Use PEEL to evaluate effectively the impacts of seismic hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis) on the affected countries and make accurate comparisons and links.
Examine and explain disaster-proof building designs.
Examine the advantages of living near geological hazards through research skills.
Where does our money go when it is spent?
Unit progress criteria
Knowledge
Skills
Describe and give examples of economy from local to global using a wide range of geographical terminology.
Describe and give examples of TNCs using examples and geographical terminology.
Describe how employment changes as a country develops
Describe the four sectors of employment using a wide range of geographical terminology
Identify and explain why rural and urban life differs in India using a wide range of examples and geographical terminology.
Explain why oil is such a valuable resource using a wide range of geographical terminology.
Describe and explain the positive and negative impacts of TNCs locating in China using a wide range of geographical terminology.
Identify and explain the positive impacts of improved infrastructure for a country.
Assess the problems faced by Nigeria’s food shortages using a wide range of geographical terminology.
Describe and explain the tax problems faced by India’s informal employment sector.
Continue to develop basic map skills by identifying and locating countries on a world map.
Interpret and analyse data presented in graphs, charts and tables.
Make inferences using visual information e.g., photographs and add annotations
Explain why TNC’s locate in certain countries and create an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of this.
Construct a diagram to show the ‘cycle of poverty’ and explain using a full range of geographical terminology which shows increasing fluency.
Analyse the factors that can affect a country’s level of economic growth.
Organise and then present information in a structured way through the use of speech writing.
Make connections between key economic concepts and real-world examples.
Use geographical key terminology accurately throughout which shows increasing fluency
How are our frozen worlds changing?
Unit progress criteria
Knowledge
Skills
Landform Processes: Explain glacial processes (abrasion, plucking, freeze-thaw) and how they shape polar landscapes.
Climate Understanding: Interpret polar climate characteristics and analyse climate change impacts on these environments.
Environmental Systems: Understand how animals and plants adapt to cold conditions and explain ecosystem relationships.
Survival and Adaptation: Evaluate human survival strategies and resource management techniques for polar regions.
Economic Geography: Assess economic opportunities in Antarctica including research, tourism, and resource extraction.
Use basic map skills to shade polar regions on world maps and identify locations using geographical terminology.
Data Analysis: Interpret precipitation data from Vostoz Station, calculate totals, and analyse climate patterns.
Case Study Analysis: Examine specific examples of climate change impacts and tourism management in polar regions.
Research and Investigation: Investigate Antarctic governance, scientific research, and environmental changes.
Survival and Adaptation: Building on Year 7's assessment of opportunities and challenges in extreme environments, students need to evaluate human survival strategies, resource management, and adaptation techniques for polar regions.
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