Curriculum Geography

Children at St James will understand that Geography is about understanding the world by comparing locations, investigating, talking about places and asking and answering questions about the world, its people, resources and places. We want Geography to stimulate children’s curiosity about the world as it provides a means of exploring, appreciating and understanding the world in which we live and how it has evolved. Geography explores the relationship between the Earth and its people through the study of place, space and environment. It contributes to the cultural, social, spiritual and moral life of children as they acquire knowledge of a range of different cultures and traditions, and learn tolerance and understanding of other people and environments.  Geography is the subject in which children learn the skills of understanding a locality and how and where people fit into its overall structure. With opportunities to travel and work in different cities and countries across the world, children need to efficiently use maps, charts and other geographical data. The opportunities for the children to carry out geographical enquiry are also of value.

Children should use/understand:

1. Locational and place knowledge
2. Geographical techniques.
3. Physical features and processes.
4. The human interaction with the environment.

Geography is taught through a creative approach and is continually evolving.  The curriculum has been developed as part of a North East Transition Project, led by Primary Subject Leaders and Secondary Heads of Department.  High quality units including lesson plans, presentations and resources have been completed, following the threshold concepts.  To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in Geography, we have tracked the progression of skills throughout each phase.

• Early Years

Geography is taught in Reception as part of the creative curriculum through child-initiated and adult led activities. The Early Years curriculum aims to help the children to make sense of their physical world and their community by exploring, observing, and finding out about people, places, technology and the environment.

• Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, children will begin to develop a geographical vocabulary by learning about where they live, as well as one other small area of the United Kingdom and a small area in a contrasting non-European country. They will learn about weather patterns in the United Kingdom and hot and cold areas of the world. The children will use world maps, atlases and globes, simple compass directions, aerial photographs and plans, as well as simple, local fieldwork and observational skills.

• Key Stage 2

In Key Stage 2, the children will build on previous knowledge focusing on locational and place knowledge along with physical and human geography. Locational knowledge examines latitude, longitude and time zones. Children will use maps to focus on Europe, North and South America, concentrating on regions, key physical / human characteristics, countries, and major cities. They will also work on locating the counties and cities of the United Kingdom, and start to explore their human and physical characteristics.

Assessment is used to inform planning and to facilitate differentiation. The assessment of children’s work is on-going to ensure that understanding is being achieved and that progress is being made. Feedback is given to the children as soon as possible, and work is marked in line with the school’s marking policy. Impact will also be measured through pupil voice, revisiting and reviewing the curriculum.

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