By the end of KS3 students will have developed an understanding of a wide range of places, environments and features at a variety of appropriate spatial scales extending from local to global. They will have developed knowledge of where places are, what characterises them and a more holistic understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected. Students will have developed a knowledge of how human and physical environments are interrelated and a core geographical vocabulary enabling them to communicate their knowledge in familiar and unfamiliar contexts. Students will develop spatial awareness and will be able to use a range of maps effectively to investigate places. They will be able to carry out small-scale geographical enquiries, ask their own relevant questions, makes sense of geographical data, think critically and justify their own views in reaching conclusions.
By end of KS4 students will develop their knowledge of the dynamic nature of physical processes and systems and human interaction with them in a variety of places and at a range of scales. They will develop an understanding of the tectonic, geomorphological, biological and meteorological processes and features in different environments and the need for management strategies governed by sustainability and consideration of the direct and indirect effects of human interaction with the Earth and the atmosphere. They will develop knowledge of human processes, systems and outcomes and how this changes both spatially and temporally. These are studied in a variety of places and at a range of scales and include places in various stages of development, such as high income countries (HICs), low income countries (LICs) and newly emerging economies (NEEs). Students will develop knowledge of the factors that produce a diverse variety of human environments; the dynamic nature of these environments that change over time and place; the need for sustainable management and the areas of current and future challenge and opportunity for these environments. Students will deepen their knowledge and demonstrate their breadth of knowledge and think like a geographer by drawing together knowledge, understanding and skills across the full course of study. They will demonstrate an evaluative appreciation of the interrelationships between different aspects of geographical study and be able to form their own conclusions. They will be able to carry out geographical enquiries in both a human and physical context and think critically whilst justifying their own views in reaching conclusions.
We aim for Geography students at Paignton Academy to finish as well-rounded, conscientious learners with a solid understanding of the complex world around them, so that they become the future guardians of our planet.