Geography
Intent
To provide an accessible and inclusive curriculum which encourages every one of our children to develop skills and knowledge which prepares them for life in modern Britain and as part of a global community. For all children to experience a broad and enjoyable curriculum which promotes enthusiasm and interest in the world and develops locational knowledge, place knowledge, geographical skills and field work and the differences between human and physical geography. They will gain a more in depth understanding of landscapes and environments and the impact on the world over time.
Implementation
Our Geography Curriculum aims to ensure children have a curiosity, interest and knowledge of their local area and the wider world. The geography projects are well sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s geographical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines. Geographical locations are not specified in the national curriculum, so they have been chosen to provide a broad and diverse understanding of the world. Where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections with other projects, geography projects are sequenced accordingly. For example, children revisit the geography of settlements in the history project School Days after studying types of settlements in the geography project Bright Lights, Big City. All geography projects are taught in the autumn and spring terms, with opportunities for schools to revisit less secure concepts in the summer term. They gain knowledge and geographical skills in and out of the classroom with opportunities for local field work to be included whenever feasible. Children learn the skills and knowledge through use of practical activities as much as possible, using ICT to develop and expand their geographical knowledge, through outdoor learning and use of the forest school and local area. Teachers will ensure they provide opportunities for the children to learn and use subject-specific vocabulary and make first-hand observations.
Year Group | Curriculum Maestro Geography overview |
KS1 | In Key Stage 1, each autumn term begins with essential skills and knowledge projects (Our Wonderful World in Year 1 and Let’s Explore the World in Year 2). Teaching these projects in Years 1 and 2 enables children to be introduced to, or revisit, critical geographical concepts, aspects, skills and knowledge. These projects prepare children for the study of more thematic geography projects in the following term. In the spring term of Year 1, children study the project Bright Lights, Big City. This project introduces children to the geography of urban environments and the physical and human features of the United Kingdom. In contrast, in the spring term of Year 2, children carry out a detailed study of coastal geography in the project Coastline. This project introduces children to the geography of coastal environments and provides children with the opportunity for in-depth coastal fieldwork. |
KS2 | In Lower Key Stage 2, children begin with essential skills and knowledge projects (One Planet, Our World in Year 3 and Interconnected World in Year 4). Teaching these projects in Years 3 and 4 enables children to further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and prepares them to study more thematic geography projects in the following term. In the spring term of Year 3, children study the project Rocks, Relics and Rumbles, which explores physical features and geographical phenomena, including earthquakes and volcanoes. In contrast, in the spring term of Year 4, children carry out a detailed study of the physical features of mountains and rivers, which includes opportunities for in-depth fieldwork. |
Impact
Through the implementation of the Geography Curriculum the children will develop their ability to use locational and place knowledge, and the understanding of human and physical aspects to make choices about their behaviour and the impact on the world around them. They will be able to discuss the impact of people on the environment and how landscapes are changed over time and some reasons for this. They will know the differences between rural and urban areas and have a knowledge of world cities, rivers and seas, countries and continents. Throughout the whole school they will build on previous knowledge and this will prepare LKS2 pupils to access the geography curriculum of UKS2 at Fairlands Middle School where they will complete the KS2 Programme of Study. The impact will also be seen in the children’s skills as they progress and learn through the school and how they can apply these skills in different settings and to different subjects using appropriate geographical terms and vocabulary. The geography curriculum makes a difference to children’s development by: increasing curiosity about the world around them, developing their communication and debating skills, developing problem solving skills, and enabling them to contribute to the school and wider community.