Term / Half-term 

Main topics / units 

Key knowledge & skills 

Autumn 1 

Key Geographical Skills  

Students will learn to use an Atlas (including the contents and index) to locate places quickly and access information, while also developing skills in interpreting images, labeling photos, and drawing field sketches to understand and represent geographical issues. The curriculum provides an in-depth study of the physical and human geography of the UK, covering its composition, major features (rivers/uplands), climate, cities, economy, population distribution, and transport networks. 

Autumn 2 

Desperate Desert s 

Students will learn to define a desert in detail, locate and describe the climates of both hot and cold deserts globally, and explain the key factors leading to their formation, such as the location around the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn and the rain shadow effect. The curriculum covers adaptations in desert plants and animals, the processes of erosion and weathering that shape landforms, and the human aspects of desert life, including the ways of life, risks, survival techniques, and the role of desert tourism. 

Spring 1 

Mapability & Amazing UK,  

Students will learn fundamental map-reading skills, including drawing and using $\mathbf{8}$ and $\mathbf{16}$ point compasses, understanding scale and map symbols, and using both 4-figure and 6-figure grid references to locate places. Furthermore, students will develop the ability to interpret and utilize methods of showing height, such as contour lines, to understand and describe the features of a mapped landscape, and use these skills to construct their own maps and navigate them. 

Spring 2 

Population Explosion,  

Students will explore population dynamics, learning the causes of global growth, the factors influencing population distribution, and how to calculate natural increase using birth and death rates. They will also gain the ability to analyze and apply key geographical models, specifically the Demographic Transition Model, to understand how various factors affect a country's population structure and examine specific case studies, such as the UK's population changes and the past and present of China's population policies. 

Summer 1 

We Will Rock You (geology),  

Students will gain a deep understanding of geology, exploring its importance, the role of geologists, and Earth's history through geological time periods and major events. They will master the formation and classification of the three rock types (igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic), describe the rock cycle, and analyze the processes of weathering and erosion that shape landscapes both globally and within the UK. Furthermore, students will investigate the formation of fossils, oil, and gas, analyze the causes of mass extinction, and examine the controversial topic of fracking as a method for extracting natural gas. 

Summer 2 

Exploring India & Microclimate Investigation 

Students will learn to locate and describe the geographical location of India while exploring its diverse physical geography and key features, including understanding the monsoon season and comparing India's climate to that of the UK. They will also investigate India's rich cultural and historical makeup (including religions, food, and languages), examine the concept of quality of life and its variations across the country, and define globalization to analyze its positive and negative impacts on India's economy and society. Additionally, students will apply geographical skills by conducting a school-based microclimate study to measure and analyze local weather conditions. 

Type of assessment 

Approx. frequency / when 

What it is used for 

Classwork / quizzes 

Short recall quizzes in most lessons 

To check understanding of key facts, locations and vocabulary, and correct misconceptions 

Homework tasks 

Once per week 

To practise applying geographical knowledge and build good study habits 

End-of-topic assessments 

About once per half-term 

To assess understanding of each topic and inform progress data 

End-of-year assessment 

Summer term 

To give an overall picture of progress across the year