Geography
In geography we aim to deliver a curriculum that inspires, intrigues, and fascinates our next generation of geographers. Geographers at Millfield discover links between both the human and physical aspects of our planet, to aid in developing their knowledge and critical understanding of the world, as well as their role in shaping it. We encourage students to ‘think like a geographer’, be curious, ask questions and use their geographical skills to find the answers themselves.
Students in Year 7 build on Key Stage 2, adding to their ever-growing locational knowledge by developing spatial awareness of new and diverse regions of the world. Key processes in both human and physical geography are introduced to students, alongside exploring the interconnectedness of these two concepts. Geographical skills and fieldwork are built upon, both inside the classroom and outside too. Students are encouraged to explore and observe the exciting environment that surrounds us during the transition period to help to ignite a love and passion for geography.
“Geography is the subject that holds the key to our future.”
In Key Stage 3, students will study a wide variety of topics that progress in scale, from local to national, and to international scale. Geography introduces students to a broad and balanced curriculum that embraces human, physical, and environmental elements of Geography. Students are encouraged to make links between processes, places, and regions. Recognition of the differences in cultures, economies and environments around the world is fostered in each topic to invoke curiosity and passion to make geographical decisions. Outdoor fieldwork experience is also an integral part of the curriculum, students take part in weather studies, soil analysis and fairtrade research.
As students move on to Key Stage 4, many choose to study our AQA Geography GCSE course. Within the GCSE course, students develop their geographical knowledge and understanding, and apply these to create their own justified conclusions. The course offers opportunities for exploring various locations around the world such as the Lake District, Bristol, Chile, Nepal, Rio de Janeiro, and Nigeria, providing pupils with global perspective and comparisons. At GCSE the students visit the Lake District where they complete two compulsory pieces of fieldwork. For human geography the students test whether the population of Grasmere has aged due to economic factors. For the physical fieldwork students test the hypothesis that as tourism increases more footpath erosion will occur.
Students are encouraged to explore geographical issues in the news through extracurricular opportunities. This includes elements of debating and formulating arguments for and against topics. We also encourage all students to immerse themselves in reading beyond the classroom, and to increase their global awareness, a vital skill to support them on their learning journey.