KS3 Subject: Geography

What topics will you study in KS3 Geography?

In year 7 students acquire the basic skills in geography including map skills and a range of geographical issues to enable them to understand their place in the world and the issues it faces. They will also be given the opportunity to conduct fieldwork in a local setting.

  • Topic 1: Physical and human Geography of the UK
  • Topic 2: Why is there a development gap?
  • Topic 3: The importance of rivers
  • Topic 4: How do I conduct a weather enquiry?
  • Topic 5: What’s the future of our planet?

In year 8 geographical skills are enhanced in year 8 and enriched through fieldwork opportunities outside the school context.

  • Topic 1: How do we use our planet?
  • Topic 2: Why are earthquakes and volcanoes so dangerous?
  • Topic 3: What makes an environment extreme?
  • Topic 4: How is the world interconnected?
  • Topic 5: Why are coastlines at risk?
  • Topic 6: Who runs the world?

In year 9 students will enhance their geographic knowledge and geographic thinking skills in preparation for undertaking the GCSE course in year 10 and 11.

  • Topic 1: What is globalisation?
  • Topic 2: Geographical superpowers - who runs the world?
  • Topic 3: What is the development gap?
  • Topic 4: How can we manage resources?
  • Topic 5: What is the living world?
  • Topic 6: Why are rivers important?

Do you have a reading list for this subject?

Suggestions of books to read for every aspiring Geographer:

Adventure Books:

  • Touching the Void by Joe Simpson
  • Great Adventurers by Alastair Humphreys
  • The Boy who Biked the World by Alastiar Humphreys

Activity Books:

  • Mission Explore Series by John Muir
  • Wreck this Journal by Keri Smith
  • The Ordanance Survey Puzzle Book

Factual Books:

  • Horrible Geography Series by Anita Ganeri
  • Shackleton's Journey by William Grill
  • Where on Earth: Geography without the boring bits bits by James Doyle
  • The Ladybird Expert Book Series
  • How Bad are Bananas? by Mike Berners-Lee
  • Solving the Puzzle Under the Sea by Robert Burleigh
  • Our Planet by David Attenborough
  • World Without Fish by Mark Kurlansky
  • I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai

A little more challenging:

  • Factfulness by Hans Rosling
  • Prisoners of Geogrpahy by Tim Marshall
  • Worth Dying For: The power and politics of flags by Tim Marshall
  • Divided: Why we're living in a age of walls by Tim Marshall
  • Off the Map by Alastair Bonnett
  • The Human Planet by Simon L. Lewis and Mark A. Maslin
  • The Almighty Dollar by Dharshini David

Fiction Books:

  • Where the World Turns Wild by Nicola Penfold
  • The Garbage King by Elisabeth Laird
  • Hidden by Miriam Halahmy
  • Bear Grylls Adventures by Bear Grylls
  • The Explorer by Katherine Rundell
  • The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell

For something even more challenging, visit this website for a collection of more great books: https://www.internetgeography.net/wider-reading-in-geography/

How will you be assessed during the course?

At KS3, students are assessed three times per year during the DPR assessment periods where they will sit assessment papers related to the topics outlined.

How can you help your child excel in this subject?

In addition to discussing learning with your child and monitoring their homework, ensuring your child watches a regular news programme, or keeps abreast of the latest news events via a reputable news app.

Taking your child to interesting geographical places, be it a mountain, the coast or a natural history museum, will provide them with the broader knowledge they need to access the curriculum.