Geography

Our curriculum is designed to give pupils the key knowledge and skills they need for future learning and for adult life. It provides a strong foundation, enabling every child to grow in confidence, develop a love of learning, and be fully prepared for the next stage of their education.  We aim to foster curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, helping pupils to make sense of their surroundings, both locally and globally, and to understand their place in the world. The curriculum is purposely adapted to help pupils with SEND access core knowledge and skills, ensuring that every child can succeed and make progress in Geography.

In EYFS, children begin to explore Geography through first-hand experiences, stories, and play. They start to develop an understanding of the world around them.  Through well-planned continuous provision, adult-led activities, and meaningful conversations, children are encouraged to observe, ask questions, and share their ideas, laying the groundwork for geographical thinking.

In Key Stage 1, children build on the geographical understanding developed in the Early Years by exploring the world beyond their immediate environment. They begin to ask and answer simple geographical questions, develop locational knowledge, and make comparisons between different places.  Learning continues to be hands-on and engaging, with a focus on exploration, observation, and discussion. Pupils take part in simple fieldwork, explore their school grounds and local area, and use geographical vocabulary to describe what they see.

In Key Stage 2, children build on the foundational knowledge and skills developed in Key Stage 1 to explore geography in greater depth and complexity. They extend their locational and place knowledge, develop a deeper understanding of physical and human processes, and begin to think more critically about how the world is connected and changing.  Pupils study a range of places both in the UK and across the world, including regions in Europe, North and South America, and different types of environments such as mountains, rivers, coasts, and settlements.   Learning remains active and engaging, with opportunities for discussion, problem-solving, and enquiry-based learning. Fieldwork becomes more purposeful and analytical, encouraging pupils to investigate real-world geographical questions within and beyond the local area.