Leadership of Geography at Westwood Primary School.

Accountable: Mr Stephen Moore

Responsible: Mrs Nicola Usher, Mrs Rachel Kounnas, Miss Rachel Allen

Intent

At Grove Primary School we have designed our geography curriculum to provide children with a knowledge and understanding of their local area, the United Kingdom and the wider world (Grove Primary School: Knowledge and Understanding of the World), enabling them to make connections with other curriculum areas and acquire skills for later life.

Our Geography curriculum has been designed with the aim  of inspiring in pupils a curiosity, fascination, awe and wonder about the world and the people that live in it, that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

We believe that our Geography curriculum is fundamental in broadening our pupils experiences, their understanding of the wonders of our world and giving them a broader knowledge that they can draw upon to help them achieve in other subjects and throughout their lives. Teaching equips children with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

At Grove Primary we are guided by the National Curriculum for Geography (2014).  Across their time in school, children will study: Our local area, regions in North and South America, Africa, a region in Europe, a polar region, mountains and volcanoes, trade and enterprise and the importance of protecting the environment. However, we have also ensured that the Geography curriculum is right for the children in our school in order to meet their needs and prepare them for their future learning and as adults.

Implementation

Geography is taught half termly following the Long Term Plan - this doesn't always alternate depending on Key Stage topics .As children progress, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

Impact

At the end of a unit we consider assessment  statements on the medium term planning, which summarise children’s learning against the unit's key learning outcomes. 

Geography Pillars

Geography lessons focus on developing geographical skills and concepts. All Geography lessons are underpinned by our 5 Pillars which promote high quality teaching in Geography.

We intend for our children to work as geographers by having real life experiences whilst they explore and enquire in an active and creative way. Links to History, Science and other subject areas are also explored. The planning of learning always begins with the skill and knowledge end goals in order to ensure that lessons are always moving children forward in their geographical understanding. Enrichment opportunities, fieldwork and opportunities to apply learning are fundamental in broadening the children's life experiences.