Geography
A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Teaching should equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes
Intent
The national curriculum for geography aims to ensure that all pupils develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes. Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time. Are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
- collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
- interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.
At Scotton Lingerfield it is our aim that our pupils develop an awareness of the diverse nature of the UK. They understand global populations and the contributions different societies, communities and individuals have made to the world.
Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops and understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
Our school curriculum drivers also shape our geography curriculum: Global, cultural and environmental awareness.
Implementation
At Scotton Lingerfield, we use the Learning Challenge curriculum as a basis for our Geography curriculum. Pupils’ understanding of the world begins in the Early Years. Our youngest pupils learn about geography within the EYFS area of learning known as ‘Understanding the World’. The objectives are set out in the Early Learning Goals which underpin the curriculum planning. In addition to the planned learning, children learn through activities that follow their own interest.
Throughout Key Stage 1 and 2, Geography is taught weekly every other half term. We follow the aims of the national curriculum and have planned our units so that there is coherent progress across year groups; locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography, geographical skills, fieldwork and vocabulary are all mapped out to ensure that pupils build on secure prior knowledge.
The Geography curriculum has been constructed around the key concepts of mapping, natural environment, settlements, trade, climate/weather and local area to ensure that geography is taught in a spiral, not linear manner. We enable children to make connection, revise and recap previous geography units taught through the use of learning journeys which encapsulate the children’s learning in a personal way. Pupils are encouraged to question, discuss and reason with curiosity. They are encouraged to react to the geography that they learn, using their knowledge to discuss, present, debate and write for different purposes. This embeds and consolidates children’s understanding of the world that they live in.
Impact
Our children develop a rich global and cultural understanding of the World. They discover the fragility of our planet and develop the knowledge, skills and desire to act to preserve it.
We expect our children to make outstanding progress over time, relative to their individual starting points. Children will be expected to leave Scotton Lingerfield Primary school reaching at least age expectations in geography.
Assessment and monitoring
At the beginning of each unit, children complete a pre unit task to ascertain their understanding and allow gaps in learning to be identified. This enables the teacher to provide additional support and challenge throughout the unit for individual children.
Following each unit, children complete a post-unit assessment at spaced intervals. These recalls allow children to recall previously learnt knowledge. Children are supported in addressing these gaps throughout these sessions.
Regular recalls support assessment of children. Results are added to tracking grids, which support end of year judgements.
The subject leader monitors the subject through:
- Learning walks
- Book Scrutiny
- Planning Scrutiny
- Data/assessment scrutiny
- Pupil voice
National Curriculum Programme of Study - Geography
