Geography
Exploring the world around us is such an exciting aspect of our school’s curriculum. Through Geography, students build a clear and increasingly complex view of our world’s physical and human features.
Primary geography - from local to global
With our Reception students we start small, looking at our local community and how we can support it. Our Geography curriculum then grows in scope with the students as they explore other countries, the impact of natural hazards like volcanoes, and then explore complex geographical themes such as migration and the factors that lead to the development of cities.
Across the school, geographical field trips are also an important component in supporting students’ understanding of the geographical principles we learn in class. In Year 1 students do a local settlement study. In Year 6 they move onto village demographic study trips and in secondary they explore the physical features of areas outside the city and their impact on migration.
Looking after our planet is a key element of our geography learning. For those students passionate about sustainability and the environment, our Eco-Committee works not only in school but internationally with schools as far afield as Abu Dhabi, to discuss how we can better help the environment.
Secondary geography – highly transferable skills
At our secondary phase, Geography equips students with highly transferable skills such as data handling, decision-making, problem-solving, and effective communication. These skills open doors to careers in town planning, environmental management, disaster response, civil engineering, market research, and teaching, as well as roles in law, journalism, and government policy.
Geographers are valued for their ability to think critically, work collaboratively, and apply knowledge creatively – qualities that make them well-prepared for a wide range of professions.
Our Key Stage 3 Geography curriculum is built around five recurring ‘big ideas’ – Climate, Geomorphology, Development, Sustainability, and Human/Physical Interactions. These concepts are interleaved across topics rather than taught in isolation, allowing students to revisit and deepen their understanding in increasingly complex contexts. This approach helps learners ‘think geographically’ by applying these ideas to new and abstract situations, ensuring progression throughout Key Stages 3 and 4.
Assessment is cumulative and designed to reinforce knowledge over time. Students complete two formal assessments per year, GCSE-style mock exams in Year 11, and regular knowledge tests to aid retrieval. These assessments follow OCR B specifications and are used both summative and formative to track progress, guide teaching, and set improvement targets. This structured approach ensures students build a strong foundation for success at GCSE and beyond.
“I love my Geography lessons because I enjoy learning about the world and how different places work. My teachers are really supportive and help me understand new topics, which makes the subject even more interesting and enjoyable.” Ollie, Year 8
For further details...
For further details of our primary Geography curriculum please contact Kira Williamson-Grant.
For further details of our secondary Geography curriculum please contact Ms. Rowan Cullen r.cullen@harrisgarrard.org.uk.
Click HERE to download the Geography curriculum overview.