Geography

Intent

At Fagley Primary School, we believe it is important for children to understand and develop sense of curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Geography helps to provoke and provides answers to the questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. Children at Fagley Primary are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it.

We intend to deliver a careful balance of knowledge and skills to equip our children with the geographical skills to develop their knowledge through studying places, people and natural and human environments. Geography develops knowledge of places and environments throughout the world, an understanding of maps, and a range of investigative and problem solving skills both inside and outside the classroom.

Geography is a focus within the curriculum for understanding and resolving issues about the environment and sustainable development. The aim of geography is to raise awareness of the world around us. (Geographical Association.) It is our wish for children to become globally aware of their impact on the plant and take responsibility for their actions.

The geography curriculum enables children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferrable to other curriculum areas. Through geography, it is our intent to improve pupil’s skills in reading, writing, mathematics and further enhance and develop their research and critical thinking skills.

Implementation

We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. It is important that children develop the skills of a geographer by fully immersing them in all areas of the subject. The local area is fully utilised to achieve desired outcomes, with opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practise. School trips and fieldwork are provided to give first hand experiences, which enhance children’s understanding of the world beyond their locality.

By the time children leave Fagley Primary School they will:

• Have an excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like.
• Have an excellent understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected and how much human and physical environments are interrelated.
• Be highly developed and frequently utilise fieldwork and other geographical skills and techniques.
• Foster a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world in which they live and develop a sense of place.
• Have an extensive base of geographical vocabulary and a range of skills.
• Become familiar with their own surroundings and extend their interest, knowledge and understanding of contrasting localities in Britain, Europe and the wider world.
• Adopt an enquiring approach to the world around them, developing in their ability to formulate appropriate questions, research, handle data and draw conclusions. They will have the ability to reach clear conclusions and develop a reasoned argument to explain findings.
• Appreciate similarity and difference in the world around them, having empathy for the lives of others and respect for others’ beliefs, attitudes and values.
• Have the ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current and contemporary issues in society and the environment.
• Develop an understanding of environmental sustainability and how they can be actively involved in living as sustainably as possible.

Impact

Our geography curriculum offers high quality and well planned lessons which encourage progression. Teachers deliver a skill and knowledge based curriculum that develops and builds upon prior learning and understanding. Geographical questioning helps pupils to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of the world and its people. Continuity and progression in the curriculum is built around essential knowledge, understanding and key skills within Geography.

Children will have an understanding of the impact they have on the world around them. They will confidently apply different geographical skills and language and this is evident in children's work. Children will show a sense of curiosity and wonder for the world in which they live and develop a sense of place. Monitoring and assessments are regularly used to feedback to children and staff.

Whole School Overview