Our Geography Lead is Mrs Capon

Intent

Our geography teaching centres upon developing an understanding of our world; primarily through experience, investigation and learning from primary and secondary sources.  Building upon knowledge and explicit geographical skills, such as mapping and fieldwork, all children will develop an understanding of what it is to be a geographer.

We aim to instil a love of the world around them by linking each locational study to Catholic Social Teaching.  This will encourage them to be positive global citizens and stewards of God's creation. 

Teaching will equip pupils with knowledge about different places, people, resources and natural and human environments on a local and global scale.  Through and enriched curriculum all children will have the opportunity to learn through a variety of experiences such as fieldwork, local visits and trips.

Implementation

Geography is taught weekly in terms 1, 3 and 5.  In Early Years the geography journey begins through the curriculum element of Understanding the World. However, explicit geography lessons are taught in EYFS evidenced in their Geography Big Book. 

Through Progression of key knowledge and skills documents, all geography lessons are carefully sequenced and children build their geographical knowledge of location and place year on year. 

All locational studies follow the clear structure where children discover the interdependence between people and locations as they develop a sense of place, (see locational studies structure at St Peter's document below).

Weekly retrieval quizzes ensure prior knowledge is used and revisited regularly ensuring children remember what they have learnt.  At end of each lesson teachers use a key question prompt to ensure that children are making connections between what they are learning and how this influences their attitudes and actions. 

At the end of each term teacher's assess pupils learning through an end of unit assessments using key questions and vocabulary that are published on Knowledge Organisers.  This is recorded by teachers on the schools FFT system annually. 

We teach geography using the ‘indoor’ and ‘outdoor’ classroom, so special consideration should be given to the inclusion of pupils with SEN in all types of field work. Map reading is a specific skill and individual pupils may need extra practice in thinking spatially.

We aim to teach geography by having clear explanations and using and referring to key appropriate language. We use concrete examples that are familiar to children and we teach in a visual, auditory and kinaesthetic way. We believe children learn geography best by doing. Children often record their understand in a variety of ways including writing, art, DT and through themed days, visits to museums or visitors in school. If writing is a barrier, children may use Irlens linked coloured paper, Clicker, a scribe or adult supported.

Often children work together in mixed ability groups sharing and valuing everyone’s ideas. For those children who may struggle to ‘be heard’ or articulate their ideas an adult is on hand to support.

If reading is required for research, teaching staff and/or peers support those who may struggle. Teachers verbally explain what is being asked rather than write it.

We check the retention of understanding through a recall of facts. For pupils who may struggle to retain these visual clues are used and reminders are provided through the ‘big book.’

Geography Curriculum

2023-2024

Our Geography Curriculum

pre-2023

For the new academic year 2023-2024, we have adapted our geography and history curriculum to further deepen our children's learning experiences. While we are working hard to update our webpage throughout this academic year, we are still very proud of the curriculum prior to these changes, so please enjoy perusing our work from previous years: