Geography

Our intent is that our teaching of Geography will inspire children to develop a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. We want children to develop geographical skills and communicate information in a variety of ways.  Geography is a subject driver for Projects linked to our Project-Based approach. Geography is split into 7 key concepts The UK and local area; Understanding places and connections; Human themes; Physical themes; The World and continents; Fieldwork and investigations; and atlas and map work. Visitors, themed days and school visits are an integral part of our Geography Curriculum to develop a deeper understanding of the areas studied and to inspire the children so that they have a lifelong love of Geography. 

Our intent is for children to have: 

• An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like. 

• An excellent understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected and how much human and physical environments are interrelated. 
• An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary. 
• Fluency in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills and use effective analytical and representational techniques.
• The ability to reach clear conclusions and develop a reasoned argument to explain findings. 
• Significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity as shown in interpretations and representations of the subject matter 

• Highly developed and frequently utilised fieldwork and other geographical skills and techniques. 
• A passion for and commitment to the subject, and a real sense of curiosity to find out about the world and the people who live there. 
• The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current and contemporary issues in society and the environment. 

We implement our Geography approach through: 

• In EYFS, we implement Geography through exploring the world around us, as well as learning about people in the world, making links with children from other backgrounds and cultures.  We remember our learning through our Project floor books. We follow children’s interest but promote further challenge through adult interactions and by providing books to learn about geography.  
• Project books reflect what is being taught, showing vocabulary, used, relevant diagrams, photos and knowledge organisers 
• Project books that are high quality and evidence the high expectations of learning 
• Knowledge Organisers to enable children to remember what they have been taught long term. 
• A creative and innovative approach using a range of high-quality resources including links with Durham University.   

• Using a core text and supplement texts to link knowledge across the curriculum. 
• The use of mini quizzes and retrieval techniques to develop children’s long-term memory on what they have been taught. 
• Excellent teacher subject knowledge and high order questioning  
• Learning across the curriculum is sequentially planned to build on knowledge and skill 
• Visitors, themed days and school visits are an integral part of our Geography Curriculum to develop a deeper understanding of the time periods studied and to inspire the children so that they have a lifelong love of Geography. 

• End of Project celebrations where children show case their learning to parents through Open Afternoons or to the rest of the school in special assemblies. 
• Opportunities to learn outdoors, undertaking fieldwork and using geographical equipment  

The National Curriculum provides a structure and skill development for the Geography curriculum being taught. Our Projects are driven by Geography (where relevant) to provide a creative approach, which reflects a balanced  programme of study.  

Geography_Scheme_of_Learning.pdf

Geography_Skills_Progression.pdf

The impact of our Geography approach is that children are equipped with geographical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the next key stage and for their future life as an adult in the wider world.