Geography

We are Geographers

INTENT

At Haydonleigh, children know and share that they are geographers. This involves building, developing, and using geographical knowledge, skills and vocabulary from Foundation Stage all the way through to Year 6. They are encouraged to explore the world around them and to be curious about the world, its people and places and their place within it. Each step within the curriculum builds on their previous skills and learning, using regular links to real life experiences and chance to apply their learning. Through relevant equipment, resources and extra-curricular links, all children will learn to comment on, compare, question and reason around a range of geographical topics. As their knowledge of the world progresses, so will their skills and regular retrieval from prior learning in previous year groups ensure that all children learn more and remember more. Curiosity is a driver of the geography curriculum, and every child is supported to develop a passion for their world and its places and people and a pride in their role within it.

IMPLEMENTATION

Geography is given appropriate weight from the very beginning of Foundation Stage, in which geographical curiosity, skills and knowledge are guided and encouraged constantly. From Year 1 to Year 6, every year group will study a geography-based unit in at least 3 terms of the year. Each unit is planned using the National Curriculum, which is then used to provide focused and progressive learning opportunities. Units are taught through carefully chosen tasks which identify the key learning with regular opportunities to make connections with previous learning.  Staff will be supported to enrich each unit through resources and experiences and children will be encouraged to ask questions and become masters of their own learning.

Geography is taught with a focus on both substantive and disciplinary knowledge. We plan tasks which allow children to develop an understanding of concepts and knowledge through practising and applying geographical skills and fieldwork. These include how to use, draw, and interpret maps, atlases and globes, to formulate appropriate questions, develop research skills and evaluate a range of materials to inform opinions.

IMPACT

Children at Haydonleigh will be able to clearly talk about the places, locations, people, and environments they have studied, both in their current year group and in their previous years. By the end of Key Stage 2, children will be able to make comparisons and links between their areas of learning, as well as asking considered and relevant questions and reasoned statements about a range of topics. They will be able to explain how their geographical journey throughout their time at Haydonleigh has led them to their current understanding of the world and they will feel confident in their knowledge of the world and their place within it.

Geography coverage across the school - click here

Geography Roadmap - click here

Geography Knowledge Organisers - click on the table below to view