Geography
GEOGRAPHY PROGRESSION OF SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Through Geography, children learn about a variety of places and the communities that live within them. They learn about the processes and consequences of change in different environments and begin to understand what ‘global citizenship’ means.
Intent
Geography is the science of developing a better and thorough understanding of the world and environment we live in. At Fairlawn, our curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world to become active global citizens. We will equip children with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, as well as an understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops an understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. We strive to help children develop their locational and place knowledge, human and physical geography and geographical skills and they will also develop their own attitudes, values and beliefs of places around the world. These are skills that are transferrable to their further education and beyond.
Implementation
Geography at Fairlawn is taught in blocks throughout the year. Our curriculum identifies sufficient breadth of content but also ensures that pupils learn this in sufficient depth. Geography is taught in a planned, coherent way which is sequenced logically, ensuring that children learn and remember a rich body of geographical knowledge and acquire progressive geographical skills from EYFS to Year 6.
Teachers have identified the key knowledge, skills and vocabulary to be taught in each topic and when planning, teachers assess and adapt learning for all so all children including SEND, PP, EAL are supported and challenged at their level. At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs teacher planning and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. Consideration is given to how a greater depth of understanding and skills will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as to how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Teachers avoid teaching children with a ‘single story’ and provide relevant, broad examples when learning about different places. Where appropriate, cross curricular links are specifically planned for such as Maths, Computing and English. Location knowledge and map work are woven throughout all Geography topics.
The local area is fully utilised giving children opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice. Where possible, and relevant, trips will be organised to give children first-hand experience to develop the knowledge and concepts taught in the subject.
Impact
The impact of the Geography curriculum will lead pupils to be enthusiastic, curious Geographers, evidenced in a range of ways including pupil voice and outcomes in our Learning Journals, demonstrating a broad and balanced curriculum with key skills learned. All children make at least good progress over time across key stages relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills. Children are increasingly independent thinkers and can generate their own enquiries to study through fieldwork and observation. They have the skills needed to analyse, interpret and present data effectively and can draw conclusions. Fairlawn pupils have secure skills in reading a range of maps and atlases to support with locating places and features. Children leave Fairlawn with a solid understanding of the diverse people and places around the world and how they are similar and different to us and our local area. Our inquisitive young learners will have the confidence, knowledge and skills to be able to debate and discuss geographical issues and will be able to reflect and form their own opinions on matters important to them. Fairlawn children will be global citizens who choose to understand environmental issues and seek to make a personal difference in protecting and shaping the world we share.