Geography is about the world around us and how we interact with it. It is a broad and varied school subject that encompasses a range of studies including the physical and social sciences and mathematical, scientific and literacy skills. With only a limited time per week with which to study this exciting subject we have drawn up a curriculum that is as wide-ranging as possible and includes the recommendations set out in the National Curriculum. Take a look at the topic lists below to see what is coming up in your geographical studies at The Cedars…
Key Stage Three: First and Second Years (Years 7 and 8)
First Year (Year 7): exploring geography
- My home planet
Looking at our planet Earth, we will explore how the planet first formed, how we measure major changes in the earth’s development using the geological time scale and how the arrival and evolution of humans have influenced our planet’s natural environment. Place knowledge is vital and our Year 7s will be undertaking their own research into the 7 continents and major countries around the world and presenting their findings to the class in a joint exploration of our fascinating planet.
2. Treasure seekers (Map skills)
An introduction to the magical realms of cartography, including the history of cartography, mental maps, topographical maps, why maps are still vital and a look at disaster mapping. Students will develop their map reading skills by learning grid references, scale, direction, contours & relief, latitude & longitude and OS maps symbols culminating in the production of their very own treasure maps…
3. My island home:
As part of their place knowledge development we will focus on getting to know our own country better, including learning the structure of UK/ British Isles and Great Britain, UK weather & climate patterns, the names and locations of major mountain regions & rivers, and the ethnicity and population distribution of the UK, its major cities and settlement patterns as well as the employment structure and trade of the UK. We will look at the UK’s relationship with the EU and Brexit and learn about our home city of London.
4. The Orient Express: Exploring Asia
Expanding our place knowledge we will take on the great continent of Asia, finding out about the different and disparate countries and regions that make up this mighty continent. We will take a brief look at its history and explore patterns in its human geography including its economy, ethnicity and population and settlement distribution. Moving on to the physical geography of Asia, we will locate its major rivers, mountain ranges and learn about its climate & biomes to better understand this diverse and mighty land.
5. Land of conflict: The Middle East
The great Arabian peninsula has long been associated with conflict, but which countries actually constitute the Middle East and what is the region like in terms of its peoples, climate and biomes? Where are Israel & Palestine located and why are their borders so contested? In this topic we will seek to shed some light on this region and increase our awareness and understanding of why it is such a contested land.
6. On Safari : Exploring Africa
Building on their studies in primary school, we will recap the major physical and human geography features of this giant continent. Building their own independent research, analysis and presentation skills, students will undertake an independent research project on an African country of their choosing so we can put together our own map of this continent of contrasts.
Second Year (Year 8): Humans, the environment and the world around us
- The ground beneath my feet
As an introduction to the subject of geology, we will be delving deep beneath the earth’s crust to explore the origins of our rocky home, the formation and uses of different rock groups and minerals and the relationship between the different rock groups. Focusing on the British Isles we will look at why it is still moving, its mountains and geology and how rocks and minerals break down over time through the processes of physical and biological weathering to end up being recycled across the earth’s crust. Lastly students will learn to identify how geology shapes topography and begin to recognise rock type from landscapes.
2. Extreme Environments: From barren deserts to wild jungles: major world biomes
Complementing the study of ecosystems in Biology, we will be studying the global factors that influence the location of world biomes with a special focus on climatic influences. We will combine an in-depth study of hot desert and tropical rainforest biomes with an analysis of the human impact on fragile ecosystems and explore the idea of sustainable management. Understanding conflicting claims to natural resources is crucial for the effective geographer and we will debate the viewpoints of diverse stakeholders over the ownership of tropical rainforest regions such as the Amazon and reflect on how best to protect the “lungs of the earth”.
3. Precious Planet
Our planet is rich in natural resources and these are not limited to just fossil fuels and minerals. Complementing their science studies, in this geography unit we will analyse the precious commodities of both water and soil to be better understand why they are so vital to our global community and how/ why they are under threat. Within these threats we will study the process of desertification and the fight against it, reflect on how we are ourselves can reduce water loss and live sustainably on our precious planet. We will look at the growth of renewable energy sources in the UK in an effort to overcome the twin challenges of non-renewable energy sources: 1) dwindling global supplies and 2) their global and local environmental damage.
4. Burning Planet
Global warming and climate change are never far from the news but what exactly do these terms mean, what might be the natural and human influences on them, who is and will be most affected by climate change and what is the evidence that human activity is making it worse? All these questions will be explored and answered in this topic so that students can seek to answer the biggest question of all: is it too late and what can we do?
5. Mighty oceans & rolling waves
The first of our major physical geography topics, students will be learning about the powerful physical processes that shape our changing coastlines, especially in the UK. Students will learn how waves and tides work, how marine processes form both destructive and constructive coasts and how human activities can contribute to their development and change. We will explore how we use our coastlines, their global significance and how we can both exacerbate and manage coastal recession. Closer to home we will analyse the situation at Happisburgh on the Norfolk coast and debate how best to defend this vulnerable coastal village, taking into account national, regional and local budgets and political agendas. Our topic will culminate in a day-long field trip to the coast to investigate and measure coastal processes and see for ourselves the scale of erosion.
6. Detectives & decision makers (geography field investigations)
Where do geographers get their information from? Where is the proof that these complex physical processes or conflicting land uses actually occur? In this short unit, Year 8 will have the chance to design, carry out and analyse their own data collection on the Norfolk coast to prove or disprove their hypotheses and see for themselves the reality of geomorphological processes and human attempts to manage the natural environment. Using key data collection skills, students will have to decide how best to present and analyse their data, carry out their own fieldwork safely and effectively and evaluate the effectiveness of their investigation.
Key Stage 4: GCSE Years 3-5 (Years 9-11)
For a full break down of the course and how it is taught at The Cedars please see here: Geography IGCSE summary
For geography GCSE at The Cedars we follow the Cambridge International Examination (CIE) Board’s IGCSE syllabus. We begin in Year 3 and our studies include extensive fieldwork skills and map skills as well as the study of various human and physical geographical themes (see below) culminating in three examinations at the end of Year 5. At the end of Year 4, students undertake an intensive 3 day field studies trip from where we carry out full settlement, rivers and coastal investigations to support the Paper 4 Alternative to Coursework examination.
IGCSE topic list:
Theme 1: Population and Settlement
Population
Settlement
Theme 2: The natural environment
Earthquakes and volcanoes
Rivers
Coasts
Weather
Climate and natural vegetation
Theme 3: Economic Development
Development
Food Production
Industry
Tourism
Energy
Water
Environmental risks of economic development
A-LEVEL/ Key Stage 5 (Years 12 and 13)
At The Cedars we follow the incredibly diverse, world-spanning and exciting international A-Level course, offered by the Cambridge International exam board (CIE). Divided into 6 core and 4 advanced units, the syllabus is well and truly balanced between human and physical geography. You can see the full syllabus here: https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/Images/664556-2025-2026-syllabus.pdf
In Lower Sixth, we tackle the six core units that make up the AS and in Upper Sixth we opt for a further four units that give a very in-depth analysis to make up the Advanced course.
The option to sit the AS exams in November of Upper Sixth rather than sitting all exams in the summer is available although most students will follow a linear course and sit AS and Advanced exams together at the end of Upper Sixth.
Course overview:
Core Physical Geography
– Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology
– Atmosphere and weather
– Rocks and weathering
Core Human Geography
– Population
– Migration
– Settlement dynamics
Advanced Physical Geography
– Coastal environments
– Hazardous environments
Advanced Human Geography
– Environmental management
– Economic transition
Examination/Assessment
Four examinations each lasting 1 hour 30 minutes and each worth 25% of the overall A Level grade will be sat at the end of Upper Sixth.
Why study A-Level Geography?
Geography is a subject that spans both the natural and social sciences and its strong skills base and breadth in content make it a rigorous and very highly regarded subject at A-Level. Rooted in current political, socio-economic, and environmental affairs, Geography challenges students to question the world around them and go deep into understanding the physical and human processes that shape it. Arguably, the study of geography has never been more important than now as the world faces the challenges of climate change, resource depletion and land degradation alongside rapidly expanding economic and technological advancements and social change.
From international development to statistical analysis of climate change patterns to the study of global fertility rates to environmental management, Geography is the ultimate multi-disciplinary subject. Embedded throughout the course are core numerical, decision-making, statistical and literary skills that enable a thorough evaluation not only of the themes we study but also the methods by which we study them.
Requirements: a good grasp of Maths is needed for the interpretation of maps and graphs and a willingness to rote learn is needed to acquire extensive new terminology. Geography uses a large range of case studies at local through to regional and national scales, so a good memory is important as well as the ability to write essays that evaluate and debate wide-ranging issues. Keeping up with the news is essential to get the most out of this contemporary subject as rarely will there be articles in the news that do not relate in some way to our course and studies. Being open-minded and interested in issues beyond the UK is vital, as is the ability to debate and reflect on different viewpoints to achieve a balanced understanding. A proactive attitude is needed as Geographers not only seek to understand the challenges of the world around them but how to help overcome them.
In short, Geography is ideal for the curious, for the analytical, for the reflective and above all for those who are interested in exploring current affairs and the natural world.
A Level Geography helps students to develop:
· an understanding of the principal processes operating within physical geography and human geography
· an understanding of the causes and effects of change on natural and human environments and their relationship to current environmental issues
· an awareness of the usefulness of geographical analysis to understand and solve contemporary human and environmental problems
· strong place knowledge and a good grasp of current affairs
· the ability to handle and evaluate different types and sources of information
· the skills to think logically, and to present an ordered and coherent argument in a variety of ways
· an excellent foundation for studies beyond A Level in Geography, in further or higher education, and for professional courses.
Image: taken from http://www.thegreatcourses.co.uk; “Understanding Cultural and Human Geography”
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