Term 1 — Autumn

1a.
Weather and Climate

Knowledge:

Pupils will learn to identify the difference between weather and climate. We will examine the elements of weather. They will explore the factors affecting climate and connect how this impacts climate, ecosystems and life in the UK and around the world. Pupils will explore the different rainfall types and how these impact the UK.

Skills:

Pupils will have the opportunity to learn fieldwork data collection skills and how to design an investigation. They will collect primary data using weather equipment.

Useful Links

Weather and climate: https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/revision-notes/ks3/geography/national-curriculum/5-1-1-weather-and-climate

The difference between weather and climate: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zx38q6f/articles/zqnb3j6#zbcrcmn

Royal Meteorological Society resources: https://www.metlink.org/resource/key-stage-3/

Assessments:

Weather and Climate:
Standardised Assessment 1: Raindrop story (Earth systems)
Standardised Assessment 2: Microclimate survey (Geographical skills)

1b.
People and Place

Knowledge:

Pupils will learn to understand the pattern, hierarchy and function of modern day settlements and analyse the factors that were important in the past when settlements were first developed.

Pupils will apply this theory to examine urban regeneration and redevelopment of London’s Docklands in the 20th Century and analyse the key issues for London’s urban growth today. Finally, pupils will compare Rio de Janeiro to London contrasting their issues as an EDC to London as an Advanced Country world city.

Skills:

Pupils will identify settlement patterns and functions using Ordnance Survey maps and use Geographical Information Systems to explore cities.

Useful Links

What are settlements: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zrbvjhv#zbrbg7h

Mapping London resources: https://www.rgs.org/schools/resources-for-schools/mapping-london

Rio: Case study — Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Challenges and opportunities for urban areas – OCR – GCSE Geography Revision – OCR – BBC Bitesize

Assessments:

People and Place:
Standardised Assessment 1: Location decision making exercise. (Place)
Standardised Assessment 2: People and Place end of topic test (Space)

Term 2 — Spring

2a.
Landscapes

Knowledge:

Pupils will begin by understanding the key geomorphic processes that underpin the physical geography processes of our landscapes: weathering, erosion, transportation of material, mass movement and deposition. They will take this knowledge and apply it to how it creates erosional and depositional coastal landforms. Pupils will examine the methods of coastal management available and what people think of the options.

Pupils will briefly examine how these processes differ in glacial environments and the landforms these produce.

Skills:

Pupils will use OS maps and satellite imagery to examine how coastal landscapes have changed over time and are impacted by geomorphic processes.

Useful Links

Coastal processes and landforms: Coastal processes and landforms – BBC Bitesize

Coastal processes: Coastal Processes

Range of videos for KS3 coasts https://timeforgeography.co.uk/video-collections/coasts/

Assessments:

Landscapes:
Standardised Assessment 1: Coastal processes test (Earth systems)
Standardised Assessment 2: Do Glaciers matter decision making exercise (Earth systems)

2b.
Africa

Knowledge:

This topic is designed to tackle the misconceptions pupils have about the continent of Africa. Pupils study the geography of Africa considering how the climate and relief create a vast range of ecosystems. Pupils then examine the history of Africa and how it has shaped the continent as we know it today and finally, pupils focus on Kenya; its development, diversity and culture and evaluate the influence of tourism on its development.

Skills:

For this topic pupils will work with maps at a range of scales and make connections between location and physical and human landscape features.

Useful Links

The geography of Africa: The geography of Africa – BBC Bitesize

Physical geography of Africa: https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/africa-physical-geography/

Physical geography of Africa: Physical Geography of Africa – Geography: KS3

Savanna Case study: Plant and animal adaptations in tropical savanna grasslands

Assessments:

Africa:
Standardised Assessment 1: Population distribution of Africa (Place)
Standardised Assessment 2: Tourism in Kenya (Place)

Term 3 — Summer

3a.
Map skills

Knowledge:

This skills based topic allows pupils to develop a range of map skills from understanding scale and measurements, using compass directions and grid references, to analysing contour lines and applying these skills to real-life situations.

Skills:

Map reading skills

Useful Links

OS map skills: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z6j6fg8/revision/1

Ordnance Survey map skills resources: Mapzone | Ordnance Survey

Assessments:

Map skills:
Standardised Assessment 1: Harry Potter Map Skills Test (Geographical skills)
Standardised Assessment 2: Wickham Market Tourist board Assessment (Geographical skills)

3b.
Energy

Knowledge:

Pupils investigate the formation of fossil fuels and issues behind using them now and in the future. A range of renewable energy sources are examined and pupils have the chance to design their own future plans for the UK’s energy. The use of biofuels and wacky fuel alternatives are analysed. The topic concludes with a fieldwork investigation as to where on the school site a wind turbine could be placed. Pupils undertake an energy efficiency survey and an environmental impact assessment as part of their primary data collection. The results are written up and presented as a letter to the headteacher with the pupils’ recommendations.

Skills:

Primary data collection and fieldwork skills. Data analysis and report writing

Useful Links

Energy resources: Energy resources – KS3 Geography – BBC Bitesize

Range of energy activities: weve_got_the_power_activity_ks3.pdf

Renewable energy theory: Renewable Energy – Air & Ground – Science: KS3

Assessments:

Energy:
Standardised Assessment 1: Wind turbine project letter (Environment)
Standardised Assessment 2: Renewable energy invention (Environment)

Term 1

1a.
Population

Knowledge:

Pupils will explore how populations grow, change, and move. They’ll study population density, distribution, and urbanisation, and learn how these patterns vary around the world. Using the Demographic Transition Model, they’ll understand how population growth changes as countries develop. Pupils will also examine ageing and youthful populations, population policies, and international migration—looking at the causes, challenges, and impacts. To make learning interactive, they’ll take part in the Jelly Baby Game, which helps explain the key factors behind population change. These topics build global awareness and critical thinking in a fun and engaging way.

Skills:

Use maps to interpret population data

Use of population pyramids to analyse population change

Useful Links

National curriculum summary: National Curriculum – Geography key stages 3 and 4

Population and migration: Population and migration – KS3 Geography – BBC Bitesize

China population policies: How is China changing? – KS3 Geography – BBC Bitesize

Assessments:

Population:
Standardised Assessment 1: Factors affecting population change (Space)
Standardised Assessment 2: International migration-decision line task (Space)

1b.
Ecosystems

Knowledge:

Pupils will study a range of ecosystems, focusing on their global locations, climates, and environmental importance. They’ll explore the unique features and management of polar regions and coral reefs, and examine the structure and role of the tropical rainforest. Pupils will also learn about the Yanomami people, the impact of deforestation, and take part in a rainforest development debate based on Papua New Guinea. These lessons help pupils understand the balance between environmental protection and human needs.

Skills:

Locating ecosystems on world map, understanding biome location.

Useful Links

Global biomes: Global biomes – KS3 Geography – BBC Bitesize

Savanna adaptations: Plant and animal adaptations in tropical savanna grasslands

Tropical rainforests: Tropical rainforests guide for KS3 geography students – BBC Bitesize

Yanomami tribe: Yanomami

Assessments:

Ecosystems:
Standardised Assessment 1: Animal adaptation task (Earth systems)
Standardised Assessment 2: Human impacts on coral reefs (Environment)

Term 2

2a.
Plate tectonics

Knowledge:

Pupils will explore the powerful forces that shape our planet. They’ll begin by understanding the structure of the Earth and how plate tectonics cause natural events like earthquakes and volcanoes. Through real-world case studies—including the 2010 Iceland volcanic eruption, the Haiti earthquake, and Hawaii’s volcanic hotspots—pupils will investigate the causes, impacts, and responses to these dramatic events. This unit helps pupils understand the dynamic nature of Earth and how people adapt to living with natural hazards.

Skills:

Interpret plate boundary map.

Apply plate movements to world map and understand safety considerations

Active volcano hazard mapping

Useful Links

Plate tectonics theory: Plate tectonics – BBC Teach

Earthquakes and tsunamis: Tectonic hazards – earthquakes and tsunamis guide for KS3 geography students – BBC Bitesize

Haiti earthquake: 2010 Haiti earthquake | Magnitude, Damage, Map, & Facts | Britannica

Hawaii hotspots: A Chain of Islands: Hawaiian Hot Spot

Assessments:

Plate Tectonics:
Standardised Assessment 1:Haiti earthquake impacts significance essay (Environment)
Standardised Assessment 2: Plate tectonics and case study test (Earth systems and Environment)

2b.
Development

Knowledge:

Pupils will deepen their understanding of global development by learning how we measure development and use indicators like income, education, and life expectancy to compare countries. They will examine the stages of growth in Rostow’s model and explore the development gap between richer and poorer nations. As part of their focus on the environment, students will explain how sustainable solutions—such as the Annapurna micro hydro dams in Nepal—can support local communities. They will also evaluate the role of aid in helping countries develop, considering both its benefits and limitations. This unit encourages thoughtful discussion about fairness, sustainability, and global progress.

Skills:

Locational knowledge of world’s countries and features

Useful Links

Development theory: Development – KS3 Geography – BBC Bitesize

Development and aid: Development and aid – a help or a hindrance? – Why some countries are richer than others – OCR – GCSE Geography Revision – OCR – BBC Bitesize

Micro hydro dams in Annapurna, Nepal:

Assessments:

Development:
Standardised Assessment 1: Causes of poverty decision answer (Space)
Standardised Assessment 2: Sustainability report (Environment)

Term 3

3a.
Rivers and flooding

Knowledge:

Pupils will identify the key stages of the water cycle and understand how rivers shape the landscape through their upper, middle, and lower courses, forming different landforms along the way. They will investigate real-life examples of flooding, including the Boscastle and Brisbane floods, using a decision-making exercise to explore how people respond to these natural events. Pupils will explain the physical processes behind flooding and evaluate different flood management techniques, considering how effective and sustainable they are. This unit helps pupils connect physical geography with human responses to environmental challenges.

Skills:

Decision making exercise. Map skills

Useful Links

River processes and landforms: Rivers are part of the water cycle. Learn about river processes and landforms in this geography guide for students aged 11 to 14 from BBC Bitesize. – BBC Bitesize

River erosion processes: River erosion processes

River transport processes: River transport processes

River management: River management guide for KS3 geography students – BBC Bitesize

Boscastle flash flood: Boscastle Floods – Met Office

Assessments:

Rivers and Flooding:
Standardised Assessment 1: Landform information sheet (Earth systems)
Standardised Assessment 2: River processes and flooding case study test (Earth systems and Environment)

3b.
Climate Change

Knowledge:

Pupils will identify how our climate has changed over time and understand both the natural and human causes behind these changes. They will investigate the wide-ranging impacts of climate change on people and the environment, and explain how different communities and countries are responding to these challenges. Finally, pupils will evaluate a range of solutions to climate change, considering how effective and sustainable they are. This unit encourages pupils to think critically about their role in protecting the planet and the importance of global cooperation.

Skills:

Invention task. Global issues.

Useful Links

Climate change theory: Climate change – KS3 Geography – BBC Bitesize

Natural causes of climate change: Natural causes of Quaternary climate change

Human causes of climate change: Human causes of climate change

Climate change theory: Climate change resources: Key Stage Three – RGS

Effects of climate change: Effects of Climate Change on the Environment – Geography: KS3

Assessments:

Climate Change:
Standardised Assessment 1: Impacts of climate change information sheet (Earth systems)
Standardised Assessment 2: Earthshot invention task (Environment)