KS3 NC Geography Levels from 2011

Student friendly descriptors

Level Description
You show some knowledge of where places and landscapes are located. You describe the physical and

3 human features of different places and offer explanations for the locations of some of those features. You
recognise how people seek to improve and sustain environments. You are beginning to use appropriate
geography vocabulary
You recognise and describe in detail the physical and human features of places. You show knowledge of

4 where places and landscapes are located here and abroad. You understand that people can both improve
and damage the environment. You offer reasons for your own views and recognise that other people may
hold different views. You communicate your findings using appropriate vocabulary.
You show increasing depth of knowledge of where places and landscapes are located at home and

5 overseas. You describe and begin to explain geographical patterns. You understand some ways that
human activities cause environments to change. You are aware of sustainable development and recognise
the range of views people have about the environment. You can select appropriate information and write a
conclusion to your work using the right geography vocabulary.
You show a depth of knowledge of where places and landscapes are located at home and overseas. You

6 can describe and explain physical and human patterns and processes and recognise that these
processes interact. You can recognise how conflicting demands on the environment may arise and
describe and compare sustainable and other approaches to managing environments. You appreciate
that different values and attitudes, including your own, result in different approaches to change. You
present your findings in a coherent way, using appropriate methods and vocabulary to reach conclusions
that are consistent with the evidence.
You are able to analyse the physical and human characteristics of places drawing on your knowledge of a

7 wide range of scales. You describe and explain in detail, interactions within and between physical and
human processes. You understand that many factors influence the decisions made when developing
places and environments sustainably. You appreciate that people and places are affected by actions and
events in other places. Also you can establish your own sequence of investigation. In addition, you present
well-argued summaries of your work, use geographical vocabulary and begin to reach detailed
conclusions.
You are able to analyse the physical and human characteristics of places, drawing on your knowledge of a

8 wide range of locations and scales. You can make links in your knowledge and understanding in the UK
and the wider world. You can describe and explain interactions within and between physical and human
processes and show how these interactions create diversity and interdependence and help change
places and environments. In addition, you can analyse different approaches to developing places and
environments and explain causes and consequences of environmental change. Also, you can
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 understand how interaction between people and environments can result in complex and unintended
changes. In addition, you show independence, to identify geographical questions and issues and
establish your own sequence of investigation, present full and coherently argued summaries of your work,
use geographical vocabulary and reach substantiated conclusions.

KS3 NC Geography Levels from 2011

3 Describe
4 Describe in detail
5 Describe and begin to explain
6 Describe, explain and compare.
Appreciate values and attitudes. Reach
conclusions using evidence
7 Describe, explain, compare and analyse
in detail. Create well-argued summaries
and detailed conclusions
8 Describe, explain, compare and analyse
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 in great detail. Show independence.
Explain complex causes and
consequences. Reach substantiated
conclusions.

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