Geography
Intent
At Nelmes Primary School we follow a Topic approach for Geography. The topics are informed by the National Curriculum. Each year group studies termly or half-termly topics.
At Nelmes Primary School, our intent for Geography is to teach a rich and progressive curriculum, and widen and deepen the children’s knowledge of their local area, country and the world beyond. We aim to equip our pupils with a strong set of geographical skills, helping them understand and apply the skills and knowledge they have learnt.
The aim of our Geography curriculum for our pupils is to:
- Develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it.
- Provide opportunities to investigate, encouraging them to develop concepts, knowledge and skills.
- Develop a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
- Develop an understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
- Collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data through experiences such as fieldwork.
- Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems.
- Communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps and writing at length
- Foster a positive attitude to Geography as an interesting and engaging part of the curriculum
- Develop personal qualities such as perseverance, resilience, patience, aspiration and self- belief through a sense of achievement and success
- Develop confident and articulate communicators
- Develop and use their skills in enquiry, investigation, analysis, evaluation, and debate
- Develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas, which can and are used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
The mapping of Geography across the school shows clear progression in line with age related expectations and the 2014 National Curriculum. Yearly objectives build progressively over the key stages, revisiting skills to ensure mastery. The curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of the pupils in the school community.
Implementation
In the Early Years, the children are given many opportunities to explore the world around them and develop their geographical knowledge and understanding. They observe the similarities and differences between places and talk about their own immediate environment and how environments might vary from one another.
Geography is specifically planned for and medium and long term plans are informed by and aligned with the national curriculum along with the school's own developed scheme of work.
In Key Stages 1 and 2 the school has identified the key knowledge and skills of each Geography topics. Consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group and across the school. Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified knowledge and skills.
At the start of each topic, we engage the children with a question, which provokes discussion. This allows the teacher to assess the children’s prior knowledge of the subject and also allows the children to gain further understanding of the areas of learning.
At the end of the topics the children have time to reflect on their learning. Enrichment is planned for throughout the year groups to provide the children with opportunities to learn about the topics in more detail, widening and deepening the children’s understanding.
Impact
The geography curriculum and outstanding teaching at Nelmes’ Primary School ensures that all pupils are well equipped for their next steps in their education. Pupils have excellent attitudes to learning and are motivated and interested learners who understand the importance of being fully engaged in their learning.
Monitoring of lessons, planning, books and learning walks show that children are given a range of activities from the different aspects of the geography curriculum, with children being provided with support and challenge when needed and appropriate.
Precise and key questioning is used in our Geography lessons to assess the children’s understanding of their knowledge and skills. Each half term the children are asked to answer a response question, highlighting to the teacher the depth of the child’s understanding.
Geographical understanding, as well as children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is further supported through whole school drives, such as our ‘environment’ enrichment week, eco-warriors and use of our extensive school grounds.
Click on the link below for more information about Geography at Nelmes:
