Geography

Curriculum Intent

What do we want to achieve with our Geography curriculum?   

At Clayton St John CE Primary, we believe that our carefully sequenced Geography curriculum provides our learners with every chance and opportunity to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Knowledge about the world supports learners in deepening their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Through an engaging ‘hook’ at the beginning of each topic, we inspire learners to have a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Our learners are supported in developing their Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills by being given opportunities to explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time. 

Implementation

How will this be achieved?  

 We have created a Key 6 Learning Challenge curriculum within KS1 and KS2, which follows an enquiry based approach, and is fully aligned with the National Curriculum. Geography and History are the key curriculum drivers within each of the topics studied. Within Year 1 and Year 2, Geography and History are used equally across the year as curriculum drivers. Within KS2, as there are only three topics per year, Geography and History are used equally as drivers between Year 3/4 and Year 5/6.  

Each Key 6 Learning Challenge topic is based on an overarching question, with subsidiary questions then providing a focus for each session. Each topic begins with a hook to engage learners and spark their interests. We develop learners’ independence and encourage them to use their creativity when organising their learning. In Reception, Geography focuses on our local area and the comparisons to other countries. Learning focuses on different environments, people and climates. Learners are engaged through awe and wonder, following book characters who travel around the world, sending the class letters. 

In KS1, learners develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. Learners understand basic subject specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and are introduced to geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness. 

 In KS2, learners extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, Italy and the USA. Learners develop an understanding of the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They develop their use of of key concepts, geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge. All learners at Clayton St John CE Primary take part in all aspects of our curriculum; our Geography curriculum aims to make a difference in each learner’s life by providing knowledge and experiences that they may not have access to outside of school. Where required, lessons and resources are adapted to ensure that all learners are included and can access the whole Geography curriculum. 

 Our Geography curriculum is enhanced with extra opportunities through schools visits and visitors in school, some of these act as a ‘hook’ at the start of a Key 6 Learning Challenge topic. Examples of these are a visits to a seaside resort, local river studies and visits from experts, family members and school staff. Our assessment of Geography is robust, as we use the progression statements below to support both planning and assessment within each year group. These statements carefully weave together the knowledge, skills and understanding which we believe our learners require in order to become successful geographers of the future. 

 At the beginning of each topic, a knowledge organiser is shared with pupils which clearly states relevant prior learning, key knowledge, skills and understanding for the topic, the ‘end point’ of the learning journey and key vocabulary. For each unit, the children will be assessed at a midpoint of the unit to assess attainment. In addition, children will complete an ‘end of unit task’, to assess knowledge and skills relevant to the unit studied.  

Geography

By the end of Y6 we want our pupils to:-

• Know where globally significant places are in relation to one another.
• Know where West Yorkshire and Bradford are in relation to the UK and the world.
• Know what the important geographical features of Yorkshire are and where they are located.
• Know and understand some of the processes that have created physical features such as mountains, rivers, cliffs and beaches.
• Know and understand some of the processes that give rise to human features such as villages, towns, cities, agricultural and how these processes are interdependent. 
• Know how to collect information to help them to gain understanding of the geography of an area.
• Know how to interpret a range of information; for example, maps, globes, aerial photographs and diagrams.
• Know how to present geographical information in a variety of ways; for example, maps, diagrams, charts and through writing at length.