Geography

Intent

Geography is a subject packed with excitement and dynamism that synthesises aspects of the world and helps us to better understand its people, places and environments, and the interactions between them. Geography also helps us understand how and why places are changing, and to better imagine, predict and work towards, likely and preferred futures. Underpinning all of this is a strong spatial component that deepens our understanding of what places are like, why and how they are connected, and the importance of location.

At its core, Geography's intent is to answer the questions of Who? Where? When? What? How? and why? our world is as it is and to understand our place in it and impact on it. Our intent is to deliver this understanding in a way that is accessible to all and that will maximise the  development of every child's ability and academic achievement; challenging the most able and supporting those with SEND to achieve using teachers' knowledge of individual needs so that all know more, remember more and understand more about the world around them.

EYFS

Enabling pupils to take on the role of geographer: exploring, discovering and beginning to make sense of the world around them is an important consideration when planning for the seven areas of inter-connected learning and development that make up the EYFS framework. In particular the area entitled ‘Understanding the world’ presents the opportunity for pupils to reflect on the events and routines that they and their peers experience. They should be given the opportunity to formulate questions, to investigate the similarities and differences that exist and be encouraged to discuss these with interest and sensitivity. Through role-play the children can learn experientially about the different environments that exist and explain why some things happen the way they do in both the physical and human world.

Implementation

At St Mary’s Geography is taught through a thematic approach. Our curriculum is carefully planned to engage and excite all our learners. Our long-term and medium-term plans map out the themes covered each term for each key stage. These plans define what we will teach and ensure an appropriate balance and distribution of work across each year, phase and key stage.

EYFS

Geography is taught in reception as an integral part of the topic work covered during the year. We relate the geographical aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the early Years curriculum which underpin the planning for children aged three to five. Geography makes a significant contribution to the ELG objectives of developing a child’s understanding of the world through activities such as finding out about different places and habitats and investigating our locality.

KS1/KS2

Geography is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and these are mapped across the school, ensuring that knowledge builds progressively and that children develop skills systematically. Tasks are selected and designed to provide appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.

Impact

Children will have developed the geographical knowledge and skills to help them explore, navigate and understand the world around them and their place in it. Children’s knowledge and skills will progressively as they move through the school, not only to enable them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but to prepare them to become competent geographers in secondary education.