Geography

Our geography curriculum has been carefully designed to reflect and celebrate the diverse geographical profiles of our pupils. It develops an understanding of how the environments around us are shaped and the changes that occur over time, driven by factors such as weather, time, and human interaction.

At the heart of the geography curriculum is experiential learning and fieldwork. Pupils engage with local sites, tools, and visits to develop a tangible, real-world understanding of geography. A well-structured progression of skills ensures that learning deepens each year, providing both breadth and depth. As with all subjects, we place a strong emphasis on teaching subject-specific vocabulary, ensuring that language is built progressively across the curriculum. This approach enables pupils to explain geographical concepts with clarity and relate them to other areas of study.

Oracy is central to our geography curriculum. Pupils are encouraged to discuss and present geographical concepts clearly and confidently, helping them articulate their understanding. Regular opportunities for verbal reasoning, debates, and collaborative learning enhance their ability to recall key geographical facts and explain them effectively, strengthening their overall geographical knowledge and communication skills.

Themes of ‘social action’ and ‘social responsibility’ are interwoven throughout our geography curriculum. We aim to equip pupils with a strong understanding of the world they inhabit, developing an awareness that, as global citizens, they have the power and responsibility to contribute to improving it.

Curriculum Documents

 

 

 

Geography Skills Overview:

 

 

Knowledge Organisers

Knowledge organisers capture the key knowledge and vocabulary that pupils will be taught in each unit of learning. They are used by class teachers and pupils in various ways to help pupils remember key information. Parents and carers can support pupils at home by discussing what they've been learning in geography, using the knowledge organiser to guide discussions.

Assessment

In geography, we assess children through Knowledge Nets, which provide pupils with an opportunity to demonstrate what they have understood and remembered from each unit. Knowledge Nets focus on the key vocabulary, sticky knowledge and important geographical concepts taught, helping teachers to identify how securely pupils have retained and connected their learning. They also give pupils the opportunity to explain ideas, make links and apply their understanding using appropriate geographical language.

To support assessment and long-term recall of prior learning, we also incorporate a Flashback 4 into every lesson, with a focus on recalling key learning from previous lessons, units and even previous years. This strategy helps strengthen long-term retention by regularly revisiting essential knowledge and vocabulary. Through this consistent retrieval practice, pupils are encouraged to make connections between new and prior learning, helping to ensure that their geographical understanding builds securely over time.