Geography

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. 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; to promote the 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 throughout the year. 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 through fieldwork 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 including the places that have relevance to our military children.

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

  • Develop an understanding that these key processes play a vital role in the development of key physical and human features of the world.

  • Develop their ability to use key geographical vocabulary accurately. This vocabulary will evolve  from EYFS through to key stage 2

  • Develop the skills to use and interpret a wide range of geographical information including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

  • Develop the skills to collect and analyse a range of data, gathered through experience of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes.

  • Develop 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, 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.