Geography
Purpose of study
A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our teaching strives to equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge provides the tools and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.
Aims
Our curriculum for geography aims to ensure that all pupils:
- develop contextual knowledge of the location of places, seas and oceans, including their defining physical and human characteristics
- understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time
- are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
- collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
- interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps and writing at length.
Attainment targets
By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study.
Enquiry-based and Literacy-loaded curriculum
We are increasingly following a Literacy-loaded and enquiry-based approach to the study of our foundation subjects. This means that where appropriate, activities will link with aspects of core texts covered in English lessons, adding context and depth to the learning, and will be framed in ways which heighten children's engagement. Our children tell us that this helps them greatly: http://heywithzion.primaryblogger.co.uk/2018/11/29/thinking-about-thinking/
Subject content
Key stage 1
Year Group
Year One/ Two
Objectives
Location knowledge
name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas
Place knowledge
understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom
Human and physical geography
identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles
use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to key human features, including: city, town, village, factory, farm, house, office, port, harbour and shop
Geographical skills and fieldwork
use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the countries, continents and oceans studied at this key stage
use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language (e.g. near and far; left and right) to describe the location of features and routes on a map
use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key
use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.
Location knowledge
name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans
Place knowledge
understand geographical similarities and differences through studying a small area in a contrasting non-European country
Human and physical geography
use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to key physical features, including: beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather
Geographical skills and fieldwork
use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the countries, continents and oceans studied at this key stage
use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language (e.g. near and far; left and right) to describe the location of features and routes on a map
use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key
use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.
Key stage 2
Pupils extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They develop their use of geographical tools and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge.
Pupils are taught to:
Year Group
Year Three/ Four
Objectives
Location knowledge
locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities
Place knowledge
understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom.
Human and physical geography
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including: rivers, mountains and the water cycle
human geography, including: types of settlement and land use
Geographical skills and fieldwork
use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps)
to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
use fieldwork to observe, measure and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.
Location knowledge
name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical
characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand
how some of these aspects have changed over time
Place knowledge
understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region in a European country
Human and physical geography
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including: earthquakes and volcanoes
human geography, including: the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
Geographical skills and fieldwork
use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps)
to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
use fieldwork to observe, measure and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies
Year Group
Year Five/ Six
Location knowledge
identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)
Place knowledge
understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region within North America
Human and physical geography
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, human geography, including: trade links
Geographical skills and fieldwork
use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
use fieldwork to observe, measure and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies
Location knowledge
locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities
name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time
identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)
Place knowledge
understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of South America
Human and physical geography
describe and understand key aspects of:
physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, earthquakes, volcanos and the water cycle
human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water
Geographical skills and fieldwork
use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
use fieldwork to observe, measure and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies
