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Geography

Intent

Our aim at Bandon Hill Primary School is to inspire children's curiosity, interest and appreciation for the world that we live in. We intend for children to explore diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments. We also aim for geography at Bandon Hill to equip pupils with the current knowledge and understanding of physical, human and environmental processes, exploring the interaction between these and how they change over time.

As geographers, pupils are exposed to a rich and balanced curriculum that provides them with new vocabulary and knowledge. We intend to encourage pupils for extend their knowledge and understanding beyond their local area and dive deeper into geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge.

As pupils progress through our school, they will develop an insight into the links between physical and human processes and how landscapes and environments have changed and continue to change. Our teaching will equip pupils 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.

Our geography curriculum has been developed to work alongside our history curriculum. Where possible, geography is woven info history to ensure children have a good understanding of how changes have occurred over time. The topics taught have been specifically selected to ensure all pupils make progress and embed knowledge throughout the years.

Implementation

At Bandon Hill, Geography is taught for thee half terms each academic year, for one hour per week. The subject is explicitly taught in years 1 to 6 and units are blocked to allow children to focus on developing their knowledge and skills, studying each topic in depth.

Children are taught key knowledge and skills relating to each national curriculum Strand, as appropriate to key stage;

  • locational and place knowledge,
  • human and physical geography
  • fieldwork

Geography at Bandon Hill Primary School is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. The key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic has been planned thoroughly, ensuring that knowledge builds progressively and that children develop skills systematically.

Learning in EYFS encourages exploration of the world around us, particularly through the ‘Understanding the World’ area of development. This area supports children’s understanding of geography, people and communities. Geography is effectively taught through their wider curriculum lessons and through their enhanced learning provision and environment. Children are given time to discuss, comment and ask questions about what they observe about the world around them and are encouraged to be active learners and explore their interests further.

Our Geography curriculum is designed so that children start with ‘themselves’ and their school or local area before working out to areas or regions of the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. Cross-curricular links are planned for, with other subjects such as Maths, Writing and Computing being incorporated within geography lessons and the curriculum.

Each blocked unit begins with an enquiry question to enthuse learners and spark curiosity, and the unit is completed by referring back to this enquiry question, which empowers pupils to communicate their knowledge in a variety of ways. Existing knowledge is checked at the beginning of each topic, through questions and discussions of previous learning. This ensures that teaching is informed by the children's starting points and that it takes account of pupil voice and incorporates children's interests. Tasks are selected and designed to provide appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with the school's commitment to inclusion.

Our lessons provide children with regular opportunities to develop and reflect on their geographical knowledge, skills and understanding, as well as challenge all children to develop their critical thinking skills.

Location knowledge, fieldwork and map work are woven throughout the Geography topics. The local area is fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in everyday practice.

As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding and an appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context. During International Day Celebrations, children consider the origins of the languages spoken across the school, and the diversity of the food eaten by members of the school community. Diversity week is also celebrated here at Bandon Hill, where children learn how we, as citizens, are placed within out culturally diverse school community and the rest of the world.

Impact

By the end of our children’s journey at Bandon Hill, our children will know more, understand more and remember more about Geography and the world around them. They will be motivated and inspired to continue their learning as they progress to high school.

Our geography curriculum offers high quality and well planned lessons, which encourage progression. Geographical questioning helps pupils to gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of the world and its people. Continuity and progression in the curriculum is built around essential knowledge, understanding and key skills within geography.

At the end of each blocked topic, children refer back to their initial enquiry question and communicate their new and enhanced knowledge in a variety of ways.

In order to measure impact the subject and senior leaders conduct learning walks and measure outcomes through pupil and teacher voice and through observation of the teaching and learning taking place. Moderation where pupil’s books are scuitinised takes place, and there is an opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their class’s work.

By the end of Key Stage 2, children have developed an understanding and appreciation of the role of geography within their local communities and in wider society.

Click here to see our skills progression document.

Click here to see our national curriculum coverage map.

Click here to see the National Curriculum Programme of Study for geography.

Click here to see our long term plan.

 

 

 

Useful websites

http://www.natgeokids.com

http://www.kids-world-travel-guide.com

http://www.3dgeography.co.uk