Geography

• To develop pupils’ understanding of natural, man-made and social environments.

• To provide pupils with a range of vocabulary to describe the features of the environment and the processes that shape it.

• To introduce pupils to the role and value of maps in observing, understanding, interpreting and valuing the world, from local to global perspective.

• To engage pupils’ creative and critical thinking about change, both locally and globally, and the implications for the future.

Why is Geography important?

Geography helps us to make sense of the world around us, better understand the places we live in, learn about and visit, why they matter and how they are connected to a globalised world.

Through geography, we encounter different societies and cultures and learn to appreciate the incredible diversity of landscapes and peoples.

In geography, we face questions of what it means to live sustainably in an interdependent world and learn to value and care for the planet and all its inhabitants.

When is Geography taught?

Geography is taught through thematic units. The overview maps out which thematic units feature this subject and the Long-Term Plan clearly shows the objectives taught.

How is Geography taught?

Geography is taught through a combination of subject knowledge, geographical skills, enquiry and fieldwork. Learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom.

Where do we learn about in Geography?

We learn about the following locations:-

Asia
China
Russia
India
Egypt

Africa
Madagascar
South Africa
Benin

South America
Brazil
Peru

North and Central America

Europe
Scotland
Greece
Rome

Australasia
Fiji

Arctic Circle

Local Geography

What do we learn about in Geography?

We learn about:-

Landscapes
Human and physical features
Landmarks
Physical systems and processes
Environments
Settlements
Biomes
Climate
Land use
Environmental issues
Sustainability

How do we assess and monitor Geography?

Assessment is an ongoing process in the classroom as teachers observe pupils’ oral and written responses. Opportunities for assessment exist in medium term plans and are built into all activities. When a new unit is introduced, the title and supporting materials are displayed to a class. Pupils use their existing knowledge to summarise what they already know about the topic and consider what will be taught. At the end of a unit pupils are encouraged to reflect on their learning against unit knowledge ladders. As a class, a theme review sheet will be completed.

The learning objectives and outcomes within each lesson offer teachers opportunities for checking progress. Consistency of judgment is ensured by using skills ladders and advice by the curriculum coordinators.

We use Kahoot quizzes to assess the retention of core knowledge within each theme.  Each and every cross-curricular theme we teach has accompanying subject-specific Kahoot quizzes to assess core knowledge.  Children love them as they fun, interactive and competitive!  We are able to repeat quizzes throughout the year, giving opportunity for children to recall and revise knowledge from previous themes and even previous year groups.  Kahoot provides teachers with detailed reports broken down by child and by question, so that planning can be adapted and opportunities provided to address gaps in knowledge.  The Kahoot quiz links are shared on the class website pages and emailed home to parents, providing further opportunity for practice.

We use a system called 'TrackZone' for teachers to make summative assessments against objectives taught within each theme. This provides the curriculum leads with useful information at class and whole-school level, allowing them to monitor patterns and trends and to provide support & challenge.

Parents are informed of curriculum coverage via the school website and the progress achieved by their child in the end of year report.