Geography

Our Geography curriculum is guided by the National Curriculum (2014) for KS1 Geography, and the statutory early years foundation stage and development matters frameworks.

Pupils should be taught about:

Locational knowledge

• name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans
• 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, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country.

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 physical features, including: beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather
• 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 (for example, 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.

Our intent is that geography teaching will give children a good understanding of the world in which they live. This begins in the EYFS as children learn familiar places that are important to them such as their home and their school. In KS1 we aim to build on this foundation of knowledge extending beyond their locality to the country in which they live, building to the United Kingdom’s place in the wider world. Through teaching of geography children will become confident in recognising geographical features and through field work and exploration they can record their findings using maps, keys etc.

Our geography teaching is supported by our history teaching which builds on a local, national and global theme all building children’s understanding of the world. Overall, our aim is to give children the best possible introduction to geography which will give them a good base to stick further knowledge to as they move through their education. Our aim is that children become confident, enthusiastic geographers who understand and respect the world in which we live.