Geography

In geography we believe that students deserve a broad, balanced, progressive and ambitious geography curriculum, rich in skills and knowledge. Our geography curriculum is designed to ignite curiosity and foster a deep understanding of the world and its diverse landscapes, cultures, and environments. Underpinned by the National Curriculum, our curriculum ensures a comprehensive and cohesive learning experience, preparing students to navigate and appreciate the complexities of our global community.

We aim for students to ‘think like a geographer’ by being able to consider a range of different points of view, make clear decisions about how to manage a range of social, economic, environmental and political issues, identifying and understanding spatial patterns and analysing a range of qualitative and quantitative data.

The geography curriculum builds on the primary curriculum and is structured and carefully sequenced so that knowledge and skills are revisited and built upon with a greater level of challenge as students move through from KS3 to KS5.

Recognising the importance of literacy in geography, our curriculum emphasises critical reading, writing, and research skills. Students engage with a variety of texts, from academic articles to current events, fostering their ability to analyse information, construct well-founded arguments, and communicate their ideas effectively. This approach ensures that students develop strong literacy skills that are essential for their academic and future professional success.

Students gain a thorough understanding of key geographical concepts and processes. Field trips and extracurricular activities complement classroom learning, offering students the chance to observe and investigate geographical phenomena first-hand.

At TLA, we are committed to developing knowledgeable, informed, and responsible global citizens who are ready to make meaningful contributions to the world.

At KS3 students are introduced to, and then continue to explore key geographical skills and concepts, including map skills and aspects of physical, human and environmental geography.  Our curriculum at KS3 is designed with key threads across the three years culminating in a rich and diverse tapestry of skills and knowledge.

In year 7 the main focus is introducing students to key concepts and skills, and we complete our first piece of on site fieldwork linked to our Weather and Climate topic. 

In year 8 students build on their existing knowledge and skills by exploring how humans impact the physical world through climate change, population and development. Students also complete an on site piece of fieldwork linked to our Rivers topic.  

In year 9 students study tectonic hazards and explore how the level of development of a country impacts its ability to recover from natural hazards, the concept of development is then re-visited and further explored in both the Conflict and Resources topic. Students also study world biomes with a focus on climate, adaptation and impacts as a result of human activities.

At KS4 students explore the interactions between the physical environment and human activities through a range of physical and human geography units. At KS4 students follow the AQA GCSE Geography syllabus which is assessed across three, 1 hour 30 minute exams papers.

In Paper 1, Living with the Physical Environment (worth 35%) students explore a range of natural hazards, including earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tropical storms and extreme weather. This is then followed by studying biomes with a focus on climate and adaptation in tropical rainforests and hot deserts.  Students then investigate coastal and river processes and landforms; coastal management then forms the focus for our compulsory physical fieldwork element which is conducted at Littlehampton Beach.  

In Paper 2, Challenges in the Human Environment (worth 35%) students investigate urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world and resource management by exploring a range of broad and interesting case studies including Rio de Janeiro, Nigeria and the UK. Students complete their compulsory human fieldwork investigation with a focus on sustainable transport methods in Chichester.

In Paper 3, Geographical Applications (worth 30%) students applying all of their existing skills and knowledge to a variety of questions linked to pre-released material that they receive 12 weeks prior to the exam, their own fieldwork investigations and unfamiliar fieldwork

At KS5 students explore the interactions between the physical environment and human activities through a range of physical and human geography units. 

In Paper 1 Physical Geography (worth 40%) students  investigate the key role of the carbon and water cycles in supporting life on Earth. Students study coastal geomorphological processes and investigate the development of coastal landscapes, their management including coastal flooding and erosion. Students take part in fieldwork in a range of coastal environments in West Sussex.  Students also study hazards including volcanic, seismic hazards, storm hazards and wildfires.  A range of contemporary case studies are developed giving the students the opportunity to carry out research and discuss global events. 

In Paper 2 Human Geography (worth 40%) students investigate Global Systems and Global Governance, analysing links between economic, social and political change. Students engage with and discuss contemporary world issues of global governance.  In the Changing Places unit, students investigate how places change over time as a result of a range of socio-economic and political factors.  Students take part in fieldwork in the local area and London.  Students explore the relationships between the physical environment and resources and make links to human health and well-being in the Population and Environment unit.  

Students complete an NEA (non examined Assessment). They undertake an independent investigation in an area of geography of their choice.  Students devise their own geographical investigation and collect data to analyse and interpret.  Students are supported with their independent investigation with a series of skills based lessons.  

Hours of lessons per fortnight for this subject:

- KS3: 3

- KS4: 5

- KS5: 8

AQA GCSE Geography 

AQA A Level Geography

All Geography rooms have computers, we have fully equipped weather resources and a weather station.

Students have the opportunity to complete fieldwork on and off site, as well as other enrichment activities. We also offer students a homework hub space and revision sessions are held weekly.