The 21st Century is to be defined by geographical issues, from climate change to resource management, from shifting demographics to patterns of migration. The aim of our Geography curriculum is to provide students with the skills and knowledge to navigate the changing world around them and to inspire them to use that greater understanding to help take better care of it. We aim to create independent learners with a detailed understanding of the main geographical issues of our time and passionate opinions about the future of the world. Our students leave KMA with excellent geographical skills, the ability to analyse different sources of information, and an appreciation of the value of hard work.

IN 1970 ALVIN TOFFLER wrote about the “Demise of Geography.” He argued, in short, that Geography was losing any importance as people moved more rapidly from place to place and in a world where boundaries between societal diversity and place were being dismantled.  However, like the death of Mark Twain, the demise of Geography has been greatly exaggerated, both by Toffler and, time and again, by others since. Indeed, the 21st century is likely to be defined by geographical issues, from Climate Change to resource management, from shifting demographics to the spread of viruses. Consequently, the Geography curriculum at the Kibworth School has 4 main aims:

  • To provide pupils with the skills and knowledge to navigate the world around them.
  • To inspire pupils to take Geography at KS4 and, later, at KS5. Pupils should also be inspired to have a greater understanding of the world they live in and to help take better care of it.
  • To develop the knowledge and skills needed to achieve well at GCSE.
  • To deliver the National Curriculum at KS3

These aims are meet by a five-year Geography curriculum, delivered by enthusiastic staff with a passion for their subject.
This begins at KS3 where pupils in year 7 are taught key geographical skills and are introduced to the defining issue of the day: Climate Change. Throughout the rest of year 7 pupils are immersed in a series of human and physical Geographical topics, including settlement and population, rivers, weather and industry and transport. These topics not only lay a foundation for them to head into year 8, but also, along with out of classroom experiences like the year 7 residential to Northumberland, embedded a love of the subject.

In year 8 and 9, pupils continue to develop their knowledge and skills in the subject, as well as their passion for Geography. However, in these years more complicated geographical ideas are introduced, like the theory of tectonic plates, economic development and the importance of the UK’s changing energy mix. These help pupils develop the skills needed to navigate the world around them. By the end of this stage, pupils have studied everything set out in the National Curriculum and are also prepared to start studying the GCSE at the start of year 10

At KS4, pupils undertake the AQA Geography GCSE. The course is rigorous and requires real dedication from pupils to achieve well. At the end of year 11 they sit three exams, encountering, along the way, a wider panorama of geographical ideas and are examined on a wider range of geographical skills than at KS3. Pupils are also given the opportunity to study Geography out of the classroom, with fieldwork in Leicester and along a river system in Edale, as well as a residential experience in Naples. Once again, the GCSE, and these other experiences, have been chosen to help prepare pupils for the increasingly geographical future and to inspire them to remain keen Geographers, whether that be at KS5 or in the wider world away from the classroom.

Geography Curriculum Map

H Patel