Geography
"A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, helping them to understand diverse places, people, resources, and environments, as well as the Earth’s key physical and human processes."
National Curriculum for Geography, Department for Education (DfE)
Intent
At Wessex Gardens Primary School, the intent of our geography curriculum is to inspire curiosity and a deep understanding of the world around us. By focusing on geographical knowledge, skills, and concepts, we aim to develop well-rounded, globally aware citizens who are able to understand the social, environmental, economic, and political aspects of the world. We want pupils to be able to apply this knowledge to local, national, and global contexts, reflecting on their own role within the world.
Our curriculum ensures pupils extend their understanding beyond the local area, providing them with a comprehensive knowledge of the United Kingdom, Europe, North and South America, and other significant global regions. Pupils will explore key physical and human geographical features, the relationships between human activity and the environment, and the impact of natural phenomena such as climate, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Additionally, pupils will be taught to recognise the importance of sustainability, economic activity, and resource management in a global context.
By the end of their time at Wessex Gardens, pupils will have the geographical knowledge and skills necessary to confidently understand and engage with the world around them. They will appreciate the diversity of places and landscapes, and be able to make informed decisions about their role in global issues such as environmental sustainability, climate change, and trade.
Implementation
Our geography curriculum at Wessex Gardens is structured to build upon prior knowledge, ensuring pupils develop a deep and progressive understanding of geographical concepts and skills. The following strategies are employed to implement this curriculum:
Locational Knowledge:
- Pupils are taught to locate countries, including Europe (with a focus on Russia), North and South America, using maps and atlases. They will learn about the environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, and the major cities of these regions.
- Pupils will identify and understand the significance of geographical features such as latitude, longitude, the Equator, the Prime Meridian, time zones, and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.
- In the United Kingdom, pupils will learn about counties, cities, regions, and key topographical features (e.g., hills, mountains, coasts, rivers) while considering how these features have evolved over time.
Place Knowledge:
- We encourage pupils to explore and understand geographical similarities and differences through focused studies of various regions, such as Greater London.
- By studying different regions, pupils will develop a deeper understanding of both human and physical geography and recognise the impact of human activities on the environment.
Human and Physical Geography:
- Pupils will explore key aspects of physical geography such as climate zones, biomes, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, and earthquakes. They will also study human geography, focusing on settlements, land use, economic activities (including trade links), and the distribution of natural resources.
- The curriculum will encourage pupils to understand how natural events, such as volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, influence human societies and landscapes, and how human activities (e.g., trade and resource use) affect the environment.
Geographical Skills and Fieldwork:
- Pupils will develop geographical skills by using maps, globes, atlases, and digital mapping tools to locate countries and describe geographical features.
- They will use compass directions, grid references, symbols, and keys to enhance their ability to interpret maps. Pupils will also engage with Ordnance Survey maps to improve their map-reading and geographical literacy.
- Fieldwork plays an essential role in our geography curriculum. Pupils will engage in both local fieldwork and residential trips to observe, measure, record, and present data related to human and physical geography. This may include tasks such as sketch maps, surveys, graphs, and using digital technologies to collect and analyse data.
Contextual Knowledge and Global Awareness:
- Pupils will be encouraged to understand the interconnectedness of the world and explore key global issues such as climate change, sustainability, deforestation, and the global economy. For example, when learning about wood as a natural resource, pupils will consider its economic value, the effects of deforestation, and ways to promote sustainability through responsible resource management.
Geographical Concepts:
- Throughout the curriculum, pupils will explore key geographical concepts such as climate, settlement, sustainability, location, landscape, and trade. These concepts will be integrated into lessons to help pupils understand the diverse ways in which geographical factors shape human societies and the natural world.
Assessment and Reflection:
- At the end of each unit of study, pupils create their own knowledge organisers to demonstrate their learning. This task encourages them to synthesize the knowledge and skills they have acquired, enabling them to reflect on their understanding and express their insights in a clear and well-structured format. By organizing their learning in this way, pupils deepen their comprehension, make meaningful connections, and develop the ability to articulate their knowledge with confidence.
Impact
The impact of our geography curriculum is seen in the knowledge, skills, and attitudes developed by our pupils. By the end of their education at Wessex Gardens, pupils will have:
Comprehensive Geographical Knowledge:
- Pupils will possess a strong understanding of geographical locations, human and physical features, and the relationships between people and the environment. They will be able to locate countries, major cities, and significant physical features on a map and understand the characteristics that make these places unique.
Global Awareness and Responsibility:
- Pupils will be aware of the global issues that affect both the environment and human societies, such as climate change, natural disasters, and sustainability. They will have a strong understanding of how economic activities, such as trade and resource management, impact the planet and will feel empowered to contribute to positive change.
Critical Thinking and Analytical Skills:
- Through fieldwork, map interpretation, and geographical enquiry, pupils will develop strong analytical skills. They will be able to evaluate geographical questions, interpret data, and make informed decisions based on their knowledge of the world.
Strong Geographical Skills:
- Pupils will have developed strong skills in using maps, atlases, globes, and digital mapping tools. They will be proficient in using geographical tools to gather information and analyse geographical data, such as using grid references, compass points, and symbols.
Curiosity and Enthusiasm for Geography:
- Pupils will leave Wessex Gardens with a lasting curiosity about the world around them and the people and places that inhabit it. They will have a genuine interest in the diverse aspects of geography, ranging from physical features like volcanoes and rivers to human-made structures and economic activities.
Preparedness for Future Learning:
- The skills and knowledge acquired through our geography curriculum will equip pupils with the tools to continue learning about geography in secondary school and beyond. They will be able to connect geographical concepts to other areas of learning, such as history, science, and social studies, and apply their understanding of the world in a wide range of contexts.
In summary, the geography curriculum at Wessex Gardens Primary School ensures that pupils gain a rich understanding of the world through the study of places, people, and the environment. By developing both geographical knowledge and skills, we aim to foster globally aware citizens who are equipped to face the challenges of the future.