Geography

Our geography curriculum allows us to celebrate the unique nature of Glenfall Primary School, which draws children from our local area with a diverse range of languages, cultures and heritage from countries across the globe. We value geography as key opportunity for our children to share their own heritage, experiences and knowledge and build cohesion so that their diverse backgrounds can be a positive asset to their own learning and that of others.

Through our geography teaching, we will inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We will also develop their knowledge, understanding and skills. Our geography curriculum will equip pupils with knowledge of diverse places, environments and people. We will develop in our children a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes as set out in the National Curriculum.

Geography is part of our Creative Curriculum and is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning.

The key knowledge and skills of each topic have been identified and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs the planning and ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. Consideration is given to how the wide range of abilities will be catered for within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported as part of the school’s commitment to inclusion.

Children will access a range of resources to acquire learning through atlases, maps, digital technology, books and photographs. Google Earth maps and satellite views are often used initially to add immediacy and a real-life context to lessons. Using a range of secondary resources to develop their knowledge and understanding is integral to their learning.
Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for, with links between geography and literacy lessons identified. The local area and school’s  grounds are utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with opportunities for learning outside the classroom, (including our specialist Forest School provision) embedded in practice. Homework tasks may also be linked to features of the local area to encourage families to discover places of interest near their homes.

The importance of a clear understanding of the key vocabulary in Geography is recognised. Staff work hard to explain key vocabulary clearly and practically, then encourage children to use technical vocabulary accurately in order to gain confidence and precision in their work.

Through a wide range of experiences our children will learn about the features, diversity, wonder and importance of our world and how it should be treated, setting them up to be responsible global citizens.

GEOGRAPHY-Curriculum-Progression