Intent:
We want our children to be the geographers of the future: adventurers, explorers, town planners, conservationists, cartographers, weather forecasters, ecologists, rangers. We need to inspire a love of geography which, in turn, fosters a desire to understand, appreciate and explore the world around us. We believe that children must first feel connected to the world around them from the youngest age whilst also being exposed to other cultures through the use of texts and a range of media.
As children progress into KS1 we need to allow children to develop a deeper understanding of their world by starting to explore fieldwork techniques, learning the difference between human and physical features in their local environment and beginning to compare “their place” to other places. At this stage children should have a strong sense of their place within the world.
Children in KS2 continue to develop their fieldwork skills to allow them to become the competent geographers of the future. They explore a range of locations around the world exploring the relationship between the earth and its people. Throughout this, children develop strong links to their local community through specific units of study, fieldwork and a range of enrichment opportunities which foster a passion for their locality. In preparation for the future, we want our children to be aware of the challenges facing the earth; showing compassion for others and a drive to improve the outcomes for everyone and our planet.
Implementation:
At Forest View, Geography is taught as part of a rolling programme to cater for our mixed age year groups. The subject is explicitly taught in years 1 to 6 and units are blocked to allow children to focus on developing their knowledge and skills, studying each topic in depth. Children have a geography book which shows their learning journey.
Each geography unit is taught as an enquiry question followed by a series of smaller enquiry questions which build towards children being able to have a deep and full understanding of the main question. At the end of each lesson, children should be able to reflect on the enquiry question to demonstrate their understanding.
Children all have a Knowledge Organiser which is used at the beginning of lessons as a method of low stake quizzing to improve the acquisition of the key knowledge indicated in our medium term plans. These are also used as reference points in the lessons. Parents have copies of these to support their children.
Location knowledge, fieldwork and map work are woven throughout the Geography topics. Effective use of educational visits, local fieldwork and visitors are planned, to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experiences within the Geography curriculum. In-depth fieldwork opportunities are greatly amplified through out bespoke local area units where children go out into the field to conduct observations, surveys, investigations and field sketches. The use of maps and compasses enhances this experience.
Cross curricular are important to use at Forest View and teachers look to link learning in geography to other subjects. English texts are often linked to geography units.
Each class will have a world map and a map of The United Kingdom in the classroom which is referred to regularly.
Teachers have access to a wealth of geography resources which support the children’s learning: OS maps, Atlases, fiction and non-fiction books related to the planned units of study and fieldwork resources including compasses, trundle wheels and compasses.
In order to advance with the digital age, children use a range of technologies to develop their geography learning: Google maps, Google Earth, OS explore, Data logging amongst others
EYFS
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of geography, people and communities through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World’. Geography is effectively taught through their wider curriculum lessons and through their enhanced learning provision and environment. Children learn about features of their own environment such as school, home, community and their city through first-hand experiences and learn how environments may differ through the sharing of books, stories, poems, small world play, role play and visits. Children enjoy the valuable experiences gained from our regular trips to places within their local community. Children are given time to discuss, comment and ask questions about what they observe about the world around them and are encouraged to be active learners and explore their interests further.
Impact:
The impact of this geography curriculum design, will lead to outstanding progress over time across key stages relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills. Children will therefore be expected to leave Forest View reaching at least age-related expectations for Geography. Our Geography curriculum will also lead pupils to be enthusiastic Geography learners, evidenced in a range of ways, including pupil voice and their work. Upon leaving our school to embark on their journey to Key Stage 3 learning, children will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding to confidently continue their geography learning journey. We hope that, beyond academic achievement, children feel that their geography lessons have inspired them to become great citizens for our planet.
