Geography

Geography Aims

• 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.

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 coordinator. The main method of assessing children’s knowledge, skills and understanding is through the use of Assessment for Learning. Parents are informed of curriculum coverage in a curriculum newsletter sent out each term and the progress achieved by their child in the end of year report.