Geography

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Matthew 7:24

Just as the wise builder chose to build his house on solid foundations, so a well-lived, successful life requires solid foundations.  Through our curriculum, we aim to give our children the knowledge and skills - the foundations - they need to become fulfilled, successful, loving adults in their world.

Intent, Implementation and Impact – Geography curriculum

Intent

At Netheravon All Saints we believe that Geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human world that we live in both locally and globally. The children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. We want the children to have an in-depth knowledge of both their immediate rural locality and the world beyond. The geography curriculum enables pupils to develop knowledge and skills which are both progressive and transferable to other areas of the curriculum. These are also used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and to encourage and develop tolerance of others including love, kindness, trust and respect. Through our curriculum we aim to inspire all pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will stay with them for the rest of their lives. We aim to promote children’s 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.

Implementation

Geography teaches an understanding of people, place and environment. At Netheravon it is taught in blocks in each curriculum year, principally using Kapow geography units with some bespoke units in KS1. The key knowledge and skills of each block including vocabulary to be taught are included on knowledge organisers. At the beginning of each topic children are given the opportunity to convey what they already know in relation to the current topic. This informs the planning and ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s starting points. Consideration is given to how pupils will be supported in line with inclusion. Children start by exploring their own school and village environment and the local area, and then move on to comparing other parts of the UK and the rest of the world.

Our curriculum provides learning opportunities that ensure progression and the embedding of key learning, knowledge and skills that can be used throughout life:

• Developing an age appropriate knowledge of the location of a range of significant places.
• Using locational knowledge to provide a geographical context in which to study and understand important geographical processes.
• Developing an understanding that these key processes play a vital role in the development of key physical and human features of the world.
• Developing an ability to use key geographical vocabulary accurately. This vocabulary will evolve from EYFS through to key stage 2
• Developing the skills to use and interpret a wide range of geographical information including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
• Developing the skills to collect and analyse a range of data, gathered through experience of fieldwork that deepen understanding of geographical processes.
• Developing the skills to communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills, and writing.

Outcomes in topic books evidence a broad and balanced geography curriculum and demonstrate children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. End of unit assessment/ quizzes record the children’s retention of the taught knowledge and skills. Each lesson begins with a question, and teacher assessment on topic planning identifies children who are working at and below expectations in relation to this question. Pupil voice conversations, classroom displays and photographs provide further evidence of the children’s learning.

Impact

Through high quality first teaching, learners at Netheravon develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of the local area and its place within a wider geographical world. They will have a broad knowledge of different cultures and will demonstrate tolerance of others. They will show confidence when asking questions about the world and will have gained a greater understanding about their responsibilities towards the environment both locally and globally. They will be ready for their next stage of learning.

Reviewed January 2024