Intent
Our Geography curriculum has been created to inspire pupils with 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. By revisiting these areas of learning regularly children will remember more, know more and understand more. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. We want our children to gain confidence and have practical experiences of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.
Implementation
Geography at St Lawrence’s is taught in ½ term blocks throughout the year, linked with history, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. The Humanities Coordinator has identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. At the beginning of each topic, children can convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs the programme of study and ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. Consideration is given to how greater depth skills will be taught, learnt, and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how SEND learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.
Cross-curricular outcomes in Geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between Geography and literacy lessons identified, planned for and utilised. The local area, including Carding Mill Valley is fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice. Each class has the opportunity to work with National Trust volunteers as part of their school journey to study aspects of physical Geography for example rivers, geology and rock types and the effect of human interaction on the environment.
Impact
Outcomes in theme/humanities and literacy books, evidence a broad and balanced geography curriculum and demonstrate children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Children review their successes in achieving the lesson objectives at the end of every session and are actively encouraged to identify their own target areas. Children also record what they have learned comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding an appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context. Regular school trips provide further relevant and contextual learning.