Geography

Our Geography curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Pupils investigate a range of places – both in Britain and abroad – to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. We are committed to providing pupils with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Gossops Green and the wider area of Crawley, so that they can develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special.

Geography Curriculum Intent

Our Geography Curriculum encourages our children to develop their empathy to care about the world and their local community.

Progressive layering of knowledge, embedded in long-term memory:

Names and locations of major continents, countries, seas, oceans and rivers
Knowledge of a range of places – local, national and world
Understanding of physical geographical processes (e.g. rivers, mountains, coastlines)
Reasons for the choices humans have made/make (e.g. settlement locations, fighting deforestation)
Development of an extensive base of geographical vocabulary
Development of excellent fieldwork skills to observe, measure, record and present local geographical features (e.g. sketch maps, digital technologies, graphs)
Knowledge of map features and the ability to use a range of mapping resources (e.g. maps {physical and digital}, globes, atlases)

Conceptual Understanding – occurs when new information and ideas are incorporated into pupils’ existing knowledge framework and includes:

Understand and have empathy towards physical processes which affect human lives (e.g. flooding, earthquakes, volcanoes)
Identifying similarities and commonalities between people around the world, respecting differences
An appreciation of their place in the world and an understanding of their links with other places and countries
Understand that humans impact our physical world in both positive and negative ways
Ability to read maps with a variety of scales in different contexts (e.g. world maps, OS maps)
Awareness of and confidence to challenge cultural stereotypes regarding different cultures and parts of the world
Comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected
Fluency in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills, as well as effective presentation techniques
The ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings
The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current issues in society and the environment
A genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here

Geography Curriculum Implementation

To achieve our intent, our Geography curriculum will provide the following:

A progressive, sequential journey of knowledge, skills and concepts from EYFS to Year 6, encompassing the depth and breadth of the geography curriculum
Immersion in studies relating to a wide range of local, national and world geography
Opportunities to address potential cultural capital disadvantage
A focus on subject specific vocabulary to equip children with the language to express their geographical knowledge with precision and confidence, alongside a conscious and specific inclusion of tier 2 vocabulary to ensure children can convey their ideas effectively and accurately.
Explicit links with high quality texts, including models, use of technology and practical resources, to provide contextual links and reinforce geographical knowledge
Key outcomes, described as ‘sticky knowledge,’ which form the foundation of prior and subsequent learning
High order, subject-specific questions for pupils to respond to and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
Enhanced learning through memorable experiences and visiting experts
Adapted learning and teaching to support those with additional needs through the pre-teaching of geographical vocabulary, the use of worked examples as models and a focus on creating cross-curricular links between geography and other subjects
Targeted support for children with English as an additional language including peer collaboration, specific language learning objectives and adaptation based on their current language acquisition
Adapted learning and teaching to challenge all pupils to understand concepts on a deeper level such as why places are where they are and why people may choose to live there, use their knowledge to make comparisons between places and apply their understanding to current global issues that may be happening through linking their learning with other subjects
Learning opportunities that encourage children to develop a genuine interest in and appreciation for other people and places, both in the local area and beyond and nurtures a life-long curiosity and invested interest in our planet

Geography Curriculum Impact

Pupils enjoy learning about new places, people and cultures and demonstrate empathy towards them
They discuss knowledge and concepts they have learned confidently and enthusiastically
Pupils can form and express their own opinions, founded in geographical knowledge, about current issues and events
They understand and can suggest explanations for the choices humans have made and recognise our impact on the world (positive and negative)
Pupils understand a wide range of geographical vocabulary
They have a clear understanding of where places are in the world and can make comparisons between them
Pupils understand and can discuss their own locality in depth and explain how Crawley has developed to become as they know it today
They can use a wide range of geographical tools including maps, globes and compasses
Pupils can carry out fieldwork using a range of skills and can discuss their findings to draw conclusions
They develop awareness that human choices impact the world’s natural and manmade resources