Geography
Geography Curriculum Intent
Our geography curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ understanding of the world around them, beginning with their local area and extending to the United Kingdom and the wider world. Pupils learn about human and physical geographical features and processes, and how these interact to shape places and environments. The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build secure geographical knowledge over time, including locational knowledge, place knowledge and an understanding of key geographical concepts and vocabulary. New learning builds on prior knowledge, allowing pupils to make meaningful connections and deepen their understanding. Key knowledge is revisited through intelligent repetition to support long-term retention.
Strong foundations are established in the early years through exploration of the local environment and discussion about similarities and differences, helping children to develop an early sense of place. As pupils move through the school, they develop increasing confidence in using geographical skills such as map work, observation and simple fieldwork.
Our geography curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, designed to be accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND and those who may face barriers to learning. By the end of primary school, pupils will have a secure understanding of key geographical knowledge, an awareness of environmental responsibility and the confidence to describe and explain places and processes in the world around them.
Geography Subject Overview
The geography subject overview shows how key geographical knowledge and skills are organised and revisited across each year group to support progression and retention over time.
How Geography is Taught
Geography is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that builds pupils’ geographical knowledge and skills progressively over time. New learning is explicitly linked to prior knowledge so that pupils develop a growing understanding of places, environments and geographical processes. Lessons focus on developing pupils’ understanding of locational, place, human and physical geography through clear explanations, discussion and the use of maps, globes and images. Key geographical vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to support pupils in describing and explaining geographical features and processes accurately.
Pupils are supported to develop geographical skills such as observation, comparison and simple fieldwork, helping them to apply their knowledge to real places and contexts. Opportunities are provided for pupils to ask questions, interpret information and make connections between different aspects of geography.
In the early years, children develop early geographical understanding through exploration of their local environment and discussion about similarities and differences. As pupils move through the school, they build increasing confidence in using maps, understanding place and explaining how human and physical features interact.
Adaptive Teaching
Our geography curriculum is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND and those who may face barriers to learning. Adaptations are made through high-quality teaching so that all pupils can access the same geographical knowledge and skills. Learning is supported through the use of adapted resources, such as simplified maps, large-print atlases and digital mapping tools, to help pupils develop confidence in reading and interpreting geographical information. Key geographical vocabulary and map symbols are introduced carefully and revisited regularly to support understanding and retention.
Teaching strategies such as structured questioning, sentence stems and guided discussion are used to support pupils in explaining geographical features and processes. Enquiry questions are broken down into smaller steps, with visual support and short video clips used where appropriate to reinforce understanding. Core geographical concepts are revisited over time to support secure understanding and enable pupils to build meaningful connections within their learning.
Impact
The impact of our geography curriculum is that pupils develop a secure understanding of key geographical knowledge and an awareness of how places and environments are shaped by human and physical processes. Pupils can describe and explain features of the local area, the United Kingdom and the wider world using appropriate geographical vocabulary. They demonstrate increasing confidence in using maps and other geographical resources to locate places and explore geographical information. By the end of primary school, pupils have developed the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to make sense of the world around them and an appreciation of the importance of caring for the natural and human environment.
Eco Ambassadors
Environmental responsibility is an important part of our geography curriculum and wider school life. Pupils are given opportunities to develop an understanding of sustainability, stewardship and the impact of human actions on the environment. Our Eco Ambassadors play an active role in supporting this work. As Catholic Eco Ambassadors, pupils are encouraged to care for God’s creation by promoting sustainable practices within the school community and taking responsibility for practical environmental action. This work also supports our commitment to sustainability and caring for creation across the curriculum.
Mission Statement
As Catholic Eco Ambassadors of our school, Our Lady Mother of the Saviour, we are dedicated to nurturing God’s creation by living sustainably and empowering our school community to be stewards of the environment, embracing the call to care for our common home for future generations. This mission statement emphasises stewardship of the Earth, community involvement, and the Catholic value of caring for creation, all while focusing on practical, sustainable actions.
Our roles this year will include:
Developing our own wildflower garden.
To reduce electricity – encourage all staff and children to switch off whiteboards and lights when rooms not in use.
Join the Big Battery Hunt by showing how small environmental actions can make a big difference to our environment.
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