Geography

‘A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.’

(National Curriculum, 2014)

INTENT

At Dogmersfield Primary School we strive to ignite children’s curiosity of the world and it’s people, aiming to spark interest to explore and understand the diversity of the wider world we live in.

The Geography curriculum is designed to give all learners the confidence and experience to help inform and shape ideas; investigating human and physical strands of the multi-faceted subject. This will enable children to become global citizens and have the cultural literacy to be role models for the future and set a trail for others to emulate. Considering themes such as sustainability, development and climate change in their everyday lives.

Geography offers the opportunity to study a range of topics that investigate the physical processes of our planet, human societies and the economic and environmental challenges within the local, national and global context. This gives children the confidence to interact with the wider world, leading to fulfilled and positive life experiences. The curriculum encourages children to ask questions, develop critical thinking skills, and layer a deeper understanding of complex concepts as the course navigates through the curriculum.

Geographical skills are embedded within units of work throughout all key stages. Fieldwork enquiries enable children to apply their skills, knowledge and understanding within both human and physical Geography.

Geography bridges the curriculum from the physical process in Science, creativity in English to the quantitate skills of Mathematics. Students are able to use these connections to excel in the wider world.

IMPLEMENTATION

In EYFS children learn to describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps. The children will be given the opportunity to explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries.

Through the framework of the 2014 National Curriculum, geography taught at Dogmersfield CoE (Aided) Primary School, aims to ensure that all children:

develop age-appropriate, accurate knowledge of the location, physical and human characteristics of a wide range of globally significant places including terrestrial and marine locations.

to use this knowledge to provide a geographical context to study and understand the actions of important geographical processes.

understand that these processes give rise to the key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about variation and change to the geographical landscape.

to be able to use geographical vocabulary which is appropriate and accurate and which develops and evolves from EYFS to KS1 and through to KS2.

collect, analyse and present a range of data, gathered through experiences of fieldwork, to deepen understanding of geographical processes.

use and interpret a wide range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes and aerial photographs.

are able to communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

to promote children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development helping them to have a greater understanding of their place in the world, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.

The residential trip in Year 3 and Year 4 has environmental and geographical aspects to them once within a two year rotation. A variety of trips to different environments (woods, coasts etc.), the development of our outdoor education across the school and orienteering skills throughout have all enhanced the learning of our pupils. Geography is taught through a topic based approach enhanced by our local area.

IMPACT

Formative assessment in geography takes place during each lesson. Oral feedback is provided to pupils as well as written feedback, related to the learning intention and success criteria. Misconceptions are addressed and staff use the next lesson to ensure that pupils have the opportunity to work through their misconceptions and continue to apply the skills learnt.

Pupil’s ability to recognise, compare, describe, explain and evaluate in the key geographical areas underpin the assessment judgements made our school. Teacher assessment is recorded on Arbor, analysed by the subject leader who then supports teachers in addressing the gaps in knowledge.

The children will gain a coherent knowledge and understanding of each topic covered throughout the school, utilising the outdoor environment. Children will deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes and how this affects landscapes and environments. As Geographers who understand the evolution of the environment and proactively respond to their special responsibility.

‘The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.’

Barack Obahma