Geography at The Cornerstone Academy

During Year 7, 8 and 9 we will be studying the geography curriculum created by United 
Learning and adapted by The Cornerstone Academy, which has been developed to ensure 
that all students understand what it is to be geographer whilst developing a curiosity in the 
world and its people. We will study a range of places around the world and find out what they 
are like. Geography is an ever-changing subject and we will encourage students to 
understand the links and connections between places and topics, whilst studying some of 
the biggest issues which face people today.

In Year 7 we will study:

• Introduction to Geographical skills 
• Introduction to Global Climate 
• Development 
• Water and rivers 
• World of Work 
• Fieldwork

In Year 8 we will study:

• Population
• Coasts
• Ecosystems
• Tectonics
• Weather Systems

In Year 9 we will study: 

• Life in an emerging economy  
• Climate change 
• Urbanisation in the UK
• Energy
• Glaciation
• Fieldwork 

Studying geography gives you the opportunity to travel the world via the classroom, learning about both the physical and human environment. You’ll understand how geography impacts your life every day and discover the key opportunities and challenges facing the world. 

What will I study?  

Over the two year GCSE course you will cover lots of interesting topics.  

Living with the physical environment 

Discover more about the challenge of natural hazards and the living world, physical 
landscapes of the United Kingdom and human interaction with them. This unit develops an 
understanding of the tectonic, geomorphological, biological and meteorological processes 
and features in different environments. It provides you with the knowledge about 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.

Challenges in the human environment 

This unit is concerned with human processes, systems and outcomes and how these 
change both spatially and temporally. You will develop an understanding of the factors that 
produce a diverse variety of human environments; the dynamic nature of these 
environments that changeover time and place; the need for sustainable management; and 
the areas of current and future challenge and opportunity for these environments.

How will I be assessed?  

You’ll have three written exams.

• Papers 1 and 2 are 1 hour 30 minutes long and together, they contribute to 70 % of your final mark
• Paper 3 is 1 hour 30 minutes and contributes to the final 30% of your GCSE grade. 

Where will GCSE Geography take you?

• Choose GCSE Geography and you’ll learn how today’s world was shaped and understand the challenges we face in the future. You’ll also examine the Earth’s natural resources and the increasing battles between the man-made and natural world.  
• This knowledge, paired with your essential curiosity, will give you the sought-after transferable skills for success in further education and the workplace.

Year group	Day Due In	Homework description for Geography
7	One week after their lesson	One section of the Year 7 Knowledge Organiser per week to Look, Cover, Write, Check.
8	One week after their lesson	One section of the Year 8 Knowledge Organiser per week to Look, Cover, Write, Check.
9	One week after their lesson	One section of the Year 9 Knowledge Organiser per week to Look, Cover, Write, Check.
10	One week after their lesson	One section of the Year 10 Knowledge Organiser to Look, Cover, Write, Check and one online Senecalearning.com task per week (Revision booklet in lead up to exam)
11	One week after their lesson	Revision booklets and online Senecalearning.com tasks each week

If you would like to discuss the work that we do or further information about the Geography curriculum then please contact Mrs R Foster