Geography
Geography Curriculum Statement
" The study of geography is more than just memorising places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world and appreciating the diversity of cultures that exist across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together." Barack Obama
Geography at Abbey Village provides a means of inspiring pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, which we hope will remain with them for the rest of their lives.We aim to equip them with with a knowldege and appreciation for a range of divserse places, people, ressources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth's key physical and human processes. It contributes to the cultural, social, spiritual and moral life of children as they acquire knowledge of a range of different cultures and traditions, and learn tolerance and understanding of other people and environments. Geography can encourage pupils to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities towards other people and to our Earth.
Intent
At Abbey Village, we believe that Geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops and understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the natural world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. The curriculum is designed to develop knowledge and skills that are progressive, as well as transferable, throughout their time at Abbey Village and also to their further education and beyond.
Implementation
Early years
Geography is taught in Reception as an integral part of the topic work covered during the year. We relate the geographical aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the Early Years curriculum. Geography makes a significant contribution to the Early Learning Goal objectives of developing a child’s understanding of the world through activities such as finding out about different places and habitats and investigating our locality.
Key Stage 1
During Key Stage 1, pupils investigate their local area and the country they live in as well as the wider United Kingdom. They develop an awareness of landscapes around them from first hand observations and explore human and physical features in their environment. They investigate seasons and weather patterns in the UK as well as looking at the location of hot and cold areas around the world. Children will start to read and draw simple maps. In doing this, they ask geographical questions about people, places and environments and use geographical skills and resources such as maps and photographs.
Key Stage 2
During Key Stage 2, pupils investigate a wider variety of people, places and environments in the UK and abroad and start to make links and comparisons between different places in the world. Pupils have the opportunity to widen their knowledge beyond the UK with a study of Europe and North/South America. They find out how people can affect the environment and how they are affected by it. They investigate geographical features and processes including volcanoes, mountains and rivers. In doing this, they ask geographical questions and use skills and resources including maps, atlases, digital mapping programmes, aerial photographs and ICT. They will acquire the appropriate Geographical practical skills including using suitable vocabulary, fieldwork techniques and map reading.
Geography at Abbey Village Primary School is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs the programme of study and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points.
The village and surrounding local area is fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice.
Impact
At Abbey Village Primary School, we want our Geography provision to impact our children in the ways listed below. We want our children to become curious, creative and critical thinkers. In order to achieve that, our children will:
- develop a curiosity and understanding of places and people both locally, nationally and globally.
- develop a knowledge and understanding of the physical and human processes which shape places.
- develop a respect and understanding of what it means to be a positive citizen in a multi-cultural country.
- foster a sense of curiosity and wonder at the beauty of the world around them.
- develop a commitment to sustainable development and an appreciation of what ‘global citizenship’ means.
- make sense of their own surroundings, their own locality and the interaction between people and the environment.
- develop the geographical skills, including how to use, draw and interpret maps of different scales, and the vocabulary necessary to carry out effective geographical enquiry.
- apply map reading skills to globes and atlas maps and identify geographical features and make use of digital mapping skills.
- formulate appropriate questions, develop research skills and evaluate material to inform opinions.
- work geographically in a range of appropriate contexts, using a variety of materials and equipment including other people’s experiences and knowledge.