Geography

Geography is one of our key curriculum drivers and is predominantly taught in the summer term. The Geography Curriculum is taught through an enquiry based learning approach,

that seeks answers to fundamental questions such as:

Where is this place?
What is it like? (And why?)
How and why is it changing?
How does this place compare with other places?
How and why are places connected?

It is also imperative that a geographer doesn’t just answer questions but also asks and debates them:

What could/should the world be like in the future?
What can we do to influence change?

Each class will have a broad question, which will be split into smaller questions each week.

Intent

We aim for a high quality geography curriculum which should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about places and people; resources in the environment; physical and human processes; formation and use of landscapes. We also want children to develop geographical skills: collecting and analysing data; using maps, globes, aerial photographs and digital mapping to name and identify countries, continents and oceans; and communicating information in a variety of ways. We want children to enjoy and love learning about geography by gaining this knowledge and skills, not just through experiences in the classroom, but also with the use of fieldwork and educational visits which is why it is taught mostly in the summer term.

Implementation

To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in geography, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Geography is taught by focusing on knowledge and skills stated in the National Curriculum. We ensure that geography has the same importance given to it as the core subjects, as we feel this is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences. At the beginning of each enquiry, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out in relation to their big question. This informs the programme of study and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between Geography and English lessons identified, planned for and utilised. The local area is utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice.

High-Quality Outcomes

We believe that beautiful work takes time. Therefore, children take longer on fewer pieces of work to ensure they can deepen their knowledge and refine their work, taking time to redraft where needed.

Impact

Through our geography lessons, pupils should learn key vocabulary and be able to apply their geographical skills to a range of geographical enquiries. Specific skills will have been developed including:

• Drawing and interpreting maps

• Identifying geographical features

• Formulating questions and developing research skills.

We ensure that our pupils are equipped with geographical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about geography, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.