Geography
"Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?" (Michael Palin)
Intent
Our geography curriculum has been designed to ensure stimulating and awe-inspiring experiences with our Catholic values at its heart. It is designed to meet the needs of the pupils at St Mary and St Andrew’s, not only by focusing on appropriate subject specific knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum, but by giving opportunities to acquire the skills of a geographer through a carefully planned and sequenced progression of learning. Our aspirational curriculum intends to develop individual and collaborative learning experiences; a positive growth mindset; a sense of responsibility and provide challenges that take learning beyond the classroom. Our intention is to enrich the children’s cultural capital through an exciting curriculum.
Implementation
Staff are supported to deliver high quality lessons which begin with revision of previous learning before progressing onto new learning. Geographical vocabulary is prioritised and embedded within lessons through our teaching and Working Walls. AFL within lessons is strong and informs future planning. Inclusion is a key priority and the presentation of all information make learning accessible for all.
Pupils deepen their knowledge of Human and Physical Geography within five key skills: Mapping, fieldwork, enquiry and investigation, communication, and use of ICT. Children are given the opportunity to use up to date resources with digimaps, google maps, globes and Atlases.
Each year, we determine the organisation of our five classes; sometimes the classes are mixed age and other times they are straight year groups. To support the careful achievement of all pupils within their chronological year group, we plan for progression in single year groups. We commit to ensuring that all children receive their full educational entitlement, as a minimum, at the end of each keystage milestone: EYFS, KS1, LKS2 and UKS2.
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 develop progressively as they move through the school, not only to enable them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum but that they:
- are inspired by the Geography Curriculum and want to learn more.
- show the progression in their skills as well as their knowledge, especially in map reading, compass work and locating places on a map.
- can discuss their learning and remember what they have learnt.
- can talk about their first-hand experiences of visiting different places and locations.
- take responsibility for looking after their environment.
When children leave our school, we aim to equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed further in geography.
Let's do this together!
Here are a great selection of resources to you at home;
Royal Geographical Society - https://www.rgs.org/schools/teaching-resources/
National Geographic Kids - https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
Look at us learning!
https://youtu.be/9YBSXshsp5I - well worth a watch!
Here are some of the geography competition winners in the recent Y5 topic of Uncovering the Amazon!