Geography

Intent:

At Cledford Primary School our Geography curriculum has inclusion is at its heart; it fulfils the formal requirements of the National Curriculum and it inspires motivation for learning. Our broad and balanced curriculum is bespoke to our pupils and to the community in which they live. Using a sequential approach to learning, children build on previous geographical, knowledge and skills. Recognising the importance of enriching our pupil’s vocabulary, pupils are introduced to topic specific vocabulary, given opportunities to use this new geographical language and recap it in future lessons.

Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about the world around them and prepares them for the next stage of their education. Through a variety of teaching styles, children find out about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, and develop a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. (The 2014 Primary National Curriculum in England) 

The aims of teaching geography in our school are:

• To inspire pupils’ curiosity and interest in the world around them.
• To understand the definitions of specific geographical terms and confidently incorporate them in class discussions and in written work.
• To learn about geographical and cultural similarities and differences throughout the world, nurturing an appreciation of the diverse society in which we live.
• For children to confidently identify the location of the world’s continents, countries, cities, seas and share knowledge about these.
• To talk about their own locality and explain how human and physical geographical features impact where they live.
• To develop the skills of interpreting a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
• To help children understand how the human and physical features of a place shapes its location and can change over time.

Implementation

Teaching and learning at Cledford Primary school is designed to help pupils remember, over time, curriculum content and to apply their knowledge in different contexts.

We plan our curriculum to ensure that we meet the requirement of the Primary National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum by ensuring that:

• long term plans are developed collaboratively between the curriculum leader and year group colleagues to ensure coverage for the academic year
• medium term plans are written creatively and collaboratively, drawing on ideas from CPD (training) opportunities
• short term plans are used to specifically tailor learning for all abilities

Each year group has a bespoke yearly curriculum overview which includes local, national and global geographical knowledge and builds on previous geographical skills and understanding.

In addition to this, the children participate in fieldwork, year group WOW days and other opportunities within and outside school, all of which aim to enrich and develop the children’s learning and language.

Impact:

Our Geography Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression, ensuring that pupils are prepared for the next stage of their education. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context.

Teachers track pupils’ progress through ongoing assessment for learning. Subject data is recorded on a termly basis. Children who keep up with the curriculum objectives are deemed to be making good or better progress. Consolidation activities are built into the children’s daily dashboard, which is an early morning activity. Objectives are also revisited at the start of new learning. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through regular book scrutiny, lesson observations and pupil conferences. Feedback is shared with teaching staff and together we celebrate success and reflect on practices. By regularly monitoring, reflecting and adapting the delivery of curriculum in accordance with the needs of our pupils, we strive to ensure achievement for all.