Curriculum – Geography

Geography Intent

Our high-quality geography curriculum is a coherent and sequential framework.

We will encourage and foster:

• A strong focus on geographical skills and knowledge.
• Critical thinking, at ease with difference, with the ability to ask perceptive questions, explain and analyse evidence using second order concepts.
• A strong focus on developing fieldwork skills across each year group.
• A pride in and understanding of our community’s geography, in comparison with other areas of the world.
• Quality First teaching in all geography lessons, developing a growing knowledge of geographical terms, vocabulary and knowledge.

Geography in the Early Years

Within our Early Years Curriculum there is a very strong focus on the language-rich environment and understanding our children’s own experiences. This includes beginning to use language associated with the world and communities; belonging to a community, developing a sense of geographical enquiry and developing their understanding of place.

Key Stage 1 and 2

Each unit of learning leads with an enquiry question (as recommended by the Geographical Association) and each unit sits on the knowledge previously taught. Geography is taught in weekly lessons for a six-week unit. Retrieval of knowledge is encouraged and planned into each lesson. Children will write in a variety of ways to show geographical knowledge and understanding, including reports, diagrams, maps and discussions.

Staff will receive termly support from the coordinator, through review of children’s books and planning, feedback from regional network meetings, staff training with clear focus on Humanities and other additional information. The coordinator positively encourages professional dialogue between colleagues and across phases.

There are a number of visits planned through the school year to inspire fascination and curiosity in Geography. This includes local geographical features (such as rivers and woodlands) and urban visits. These visits can be used to start of end of unit of learning, hooking the children in for further study and knowledge. Some units could involve visitors coming into school to bring geography to life for every child.

We also have links to the local secondary school and staff have had CPD opportunities from specialist geography teachers.

There is a whole school world map in a central position for all to look at and use. It allows children to see the world as a whole. Children can see the geographical position of different countries and their proximity to our community (which is clearly marked on the map).

The Early Years team complete ongoing assessments which culminate in an end of year assessment.

The evaluation of what knowledge, skills and understanding the pupils have gained against the unit expectations is completed termly by Key Stage One and Two. Each teacher shares their assessment with the geography lead. Discussions around the next steps for the class and individuals is completed at this time.

The curriculum lead assures and ensures the quality of the education across the school. They conduct pupil voice sessions each half term to collate feedback from the learners, allowing children to share their learning experience.

Book and planning scrutiny are completed regularly.  The professional dialogue is conducted with staff in a timely manner so that pupils receive the best possible geography education in each and every school year.

The curriculum lead shares and reviews the action plan with the lead governor termly. Future actions are also shared at this time.

Geography Progression Map

Geography Long Term Planning