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Intent

To use our passion for our subject to inspire the next generation of ‘geographers’ to make a positive impact upon the world we live in. We see our role as not only to give students the tools to be successful with exams and learning new skills, but through our knowledge rich curriculum give students the knowledge and desire to make a lasting and purposeful impact on the world around us.

Geography is a unique subject that adds understanding to how the world works both in a physical sense and a human sense. Our KS3 and KS4 curriculum are mapped to the national curriculum to create an ambitious curriculum for all and is specifically designed to combine knowledge with a love of learning. One that encourages students to take moral, social and environmental responsibility for our planet, starting with our local community! The transferable skills and values that our students will learn will give them the perfect foundation to become that global citizen.

Eco-schools: Sustainability - Oulton Academy 

Implementation 

From the outset the implementation of the geography curriculum is to make our intent a reality for all students. Our pupil entitlement extends beyond the ‘written’ curriculum and includes educational visits, extracurricular activities and curriculum enrichment experiences.

Enrichment - Oulton Academy 

The curriculum is delivered by passionate and experienced teachers who are well resourced and who benefit from the latest CPD in terms of both subject specific materials as well as latest pedagogy Embedding Formative Assessment - SSAT (ssatuk.co.uk). All teachers have access to an appropriate professional body:

Royal Geography Society 


Embedding Formative Assessment - SSAT - More Information

Each component in the geography curriculum are designed to link coherently and cumulatively in a sequenced manner building on prior learning necessary to help learners develop long term knowledge and skills.   

Through our ‘Big Picture’ focus we ensure students can make real-world career connections to the content they study in depth and in every lesson.

Across each year group geographers build on their prior knowledge through iterative starters (Memory Geoggers) and stretch themselves independently during Gold zone which is a key part of all lessons.

Curriculum Implementation - Oulton Academy. 

Students and geography teachers model best practice through regular 'Live Model Marking' which helps establish key GCSE skills throughout their Oulton Academy 5-year journey. Progress is tracked through regular low stakes testing, 40 mark/40 minute tests in Autumn, Spring and Summer and a literacy focus ‘Big Write each half term which supports the academy’s literacy drive GROW With Oulton - Oulton Academy. All of which are used to enhance each child’s curriculum experience and support the academy’s over reaching intent for all. 

GROW With Oulton

KS3  

In year 7 and Year 8, they follow the national curriculum which we intertwine with topical, engaging and thought-provoking content from both a local and global perspective. We give our students the relevant skills needed to broaden their horizons and to inspire a thirst for knowledge within our subject.  

Through our Learning Outside the Classroom agenda we integrate fieldwork so students are then able to add local and national context to the topics we encounter.

Learning Outside the Classroom agendaIn the year 9 curriculum we revisit some of the broader national curriculum issues in even greater detail but allow students to explore other topics we have developed ourselves; such is the passion for Geography within our team. The geographies of nowhere scheme of learning explores the micronations that exist around the world and shines a light on places dreaming of independence such as Catalonia.

KS4 

Year 10 and Year 11 focuse on the depth of knowledge needed to master the GCSE course. We strive to keep our lessons engaging, interesting and inspiring while ensuring that the exam specification is adhered to. Students will use the foundations set from the KS3 curriculum to kick on and start to really analyse the world we live in, but with an AQA exam specification lens.

Newcastle University and the University of Leeds complete several workshops with our GCSE students across the two years helping reinforce exam content such as Geographical Information Systems but also raising aspirations of HaSS careers and pathways for life after school. 

Put simply we, and the Eco-Schools International Education programme, feel our curriculum is ambitious for all and our geographers and leave us as better global citizens, with an abundance of transferable skills and a deeper care and understanding of local and global environments.

Geographical Information System

HaSS careers and pathways for life after school

Review and evaluate 

The geography department are themselves life long learners and so are reflective on all our practises, we are proactive in investigating best practise and sharing this learning and understanding across our network of schools. 

Further Information

If you require more detailed information, please email the Head of Department. Mr Thornton: