Geography - The Roundhill Academy

In Geography, students learn through skills. Throughout year 7, 8 and 9, students will practice map skills; read climate graphs, interpret data and use models to apply and compare their understanding. There are also opportunities to practice fieldwork techniques throughout the course to gain an insight into how a Geographer collects and uses data to conduct research.

A novice learner will be expected to take prompts from the teacher and use support to access geographical content and skills. They will identify and define key ideas.

A capable learner will be expected to work more independently, confidently describe and start to explain geographical content and skills.

An expert learner will use his/her/their initiative to describe and explain. They will also evaluate ideas, link and apply to other content studied. They will also start to compare content at different scales; local, regional and global.

Year 7

Topic 1- How do I become a Glorious Geographer?	This topic looks at all the foundation skills and knowledge that a Geographer would need to build on in future topics. It includes lessons on map work with grid references, climate graphs, GIS, where countries are in the world and where students live.
Topic 2- Can planet earth survive 9 billion people?	This topic investigates in to the rapid growth of world population and what impact the population is having on our planet. Students will start by looking at how population has changed over time and what has caused these changes. They will then go on to find out what impact population is having at a local scale by study Leicester and then study the impact of population on a global scale by investigating population in the Philippines.
Topic 3- Why are the tropical rainforests so important?	This topic will take students on a journey through the tropical rainforest. The will begin by studying the location and complex relationships that exist in a rainforest ecosystem. Students will then start to examine why the tropical rainforests are such a valuable resource to humans and importantly look at the impact that humans are having on the tropical rainforests. Finally, students will be asked to think of ways that the rainforest can be protect for future generations.
Topic 4- Is the UK’s landscape distinctive?	This topic promotes students to question the environment in which they live. Students will study why the UK’s landscape looks the way it does and gets them to think about why or what has created its unique features. Students will begin by studying rivers, their process, landforms and how rivers may impact their lives in the future. Students will then go on to study the distinctive features and process on the UK coastline. Finishing the topic by looking at whether humans can protect the UK coastline.
Topic 5- Fieldwork	This topic aims to equip students with the skills need to conduct their own geography fieldwork. Allowing students to experience geography outside of the classroom allows them to gain a deeper understanding. Students will start by creating their own research question and then go around the school site collecting data to answer their research question. Students will then analyse the data they have collected to draw conclusions and answer their research question.

Year 8

Topic 1- Is planet earth a dangerous place to live?	This topic takes students on a journey to the centre of the earth. By looking at the structure of the earth and processes such as convection currents students will understand what causes some of the world’s deadliest hazards. Students will study the causes, consequences and responses of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes and apply these to real life case studies. Students will also investigate how the development of a country can influence the impacts of a global hazard.
Topic 2- Why is there uneven development in Africa?	Trough this topic students will look at world development and why some countries are more developed than others. Students will discover the different ways in which development can be measured and the barriers that countries face when trying to become more developed. This topic will then focus on the continent of Africa and look at how one continent can have a wide range of development using the example of Kenya to explore this. Kenya is an example of one country within the African continent that has developed significantly since gaining independence and students will discover how Kenya has been able to achieve this.
Topic 3- Why is the earths climate cause the ice to melt?	This topic is one of the most discussed topics by world leaders and will have the greatest impact on the lives of the students. This topic starts by looking at how ice coverage had changed overtime and the unique features ice creates on our landscapes. Students will then evaluate the evidence that exists that our climate is changing, assess the causes of climate change and discuss the impacts of climate change on future generations. Students will then investigate in to the role Leicester is playing in trying to reduce the impacts of a changing climate so students can take an active role in the efforts to stop climate change.

Year 9

Topic 1- Globalisation	Through this topic students will study the concept of globalisation and interdependence. Students will explore how we live in a global society that is built on connections and that countries rely on each other for trade, aid and development. Students will investigate in to the roles of MNCs and TNCs to discover who the winners and losers are.
Topic 2- Is South East Asia sustainable?	South East Asia is a unique part of our planet that is not only home to some of the most diverse ecosystems but also home to most of the world’s population. Students will look at the delicate balance between ecosystems such as the tropical rainforests and the coral reefs to evaluate the impact of human use of these fragile environments. Students will assess whether the current impact of humans in South East Asia is sustainable and predict what the future of South East Asia will look like.
Topic 3- Ae we building a concrete jungle?	This topic is an enquiry in to the growth of world cities. With a forever increasing population and the majority of that population living in cities student will investigate in to megacities and their sustainability. Through case studies of Mumbai and London students will not only look at the opportunities urbanisation offers but also the challenges that come with it. Students will also enquire how these cities are trying to become more sustainable to meet the needs of the future generations.
Topic 4- What makes Russia unique?	This topic will focus on Russia and look in detail at the human and physical geography that makes Russia unique. Students will study the unique and diverse landscapes that cover the vast country. Students will investigate where the people of Russia live and look at the contrasts between European Russia and the Sakha Region. Finally, students will assess Russia’s development and predict what role Russia might play in a connected world in the future.

KS4 Year 10

Topic 1- Global Hazards	An in-depth study of both climatic and tectonic hazards. Looking in to the causes, consequences and responses to different hazards around the world. Student will apply their knowledge to three different cases studies to put their learning to real life events. Students will study the Nepal 2015 earthquake, Typhoon Haiyan in 2013 and the UK drought in 2012.
Topic 2- Distinctive landscapes	This is an investigation in to the process that create the UK’s distinctive landscapes. Student will study a variety of upland and lowland areas to discover what makes the UK unique. Students will study the river Tees from source to mouth and the Jurassic coast. With in this topic students will also complete a field work enquiry in to how a river changes from source to mouth, applying what they have learnt in the classroom to a real-life river in the field.
Topic 3- Resource Reliance	Students will investigate how humans increased demand for resources is outstripping supply and the impact this growing need is having on our planet. Students will then complete and in-depth study in to global food security and if this can be achieved. Students will apply this to a case study of Tanzania where they will evaluate local, past and present attempts to achieve food security.
Topic 4- Dynamic development	The aims of this topic are to understand why countries are at different stages of development and study different options countries have to try and improve their development. Students will focus on Zambia as a case study and will discover why Zambia is a LIDC, what happened in Zambia’s past, how Zambia is trying to develop and the role other countries play in Zambia’s development.
Topic 5- Sustaining Ecosystems	This topic looks at the world biomes and ecosystems and the interdependence that enables these ecosystems to exist. Students will focus on the tropical rainforest and the polar environments not only studying the natural processes but also how humans use and impact these fragile environments. Students will the evaluate how and if we can protect these precious ecosystems.

KS4 Year 11

Topic 5- Sustaining Ecosystems	Life on Earth is supported
Topic 6- Changing Climate	Climate change is one of the most controversial global issues of the 21st century. In this topic learners will analyse patterns of
Topic 7- Urban features	Never before has the landscape of our planet looked more urban. Cities are growing a unprecedented rates. This topic seeks to explore why and consider how the global pattern of urbanisation is changing. Urban challenges and opportunities are varied and unique and learners will examine these through studying two cities, Lagos (LIDC) and Leicester (AC). In each city students will study contrasting ways of life, geographical processes, challenges and solutions to these challenges to give students a holistic understanding of what makes up the urban fabric of each place.
Topic 8- UK in the 21st century	A diverse range of cultures, identities and economies make