Geography
Geography Intent Statement
INTENT
Our curriculum intent for Geography at Highfields Primary Academy reflects the purpose and aims of the national curriculum by helping our pupils to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it.
Our Geography curriculum enables children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas and which can, and are used, to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.
We aim to develop an awareness of the diverse nature of the UK and global populations and the contributions different societies, communities and individuals have made to human understanding.
Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject which develops an understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote the children’s interest and 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.
We want children to enjoy and love learning about geography by gaining knowledge about the world and their place in it, as well as encouraging a passion about the future of our planet and the changes we can make.
We want children to ‘think geographically’, which we hope will bring geography alive. The children ask questions about and investigate their own world.
IMPLEMENTATION
Our geography curriculum is based around these threshold concepts for children at Highfields to:
- Investigating places
- Investigating patterns
- Communicate geographically
Our geography curriculum has been constructed around these thresholds to ensure that history is taught in a spiral, not linear, manner. Geography is either taught weekly or in blocks, this is decided by each teacher, each term. The sequence of learning is carefully planned to ensure they are appropriately pitched and challenging and provide opportunities to explore the past. The sequential planning demonstrates progression building upon prior knowledge and enables children to apply this to new learning. Children are encouraged to make links across the curriculum as appropriate. Our curriculum aims to:
Ensure that key geography concepts are explored and developed within a framework of practical, enquiry-based and collaborative geography lessons.
Check prior learning has been retained through retrieval activities.
Introduce the learning outcome of the lesson, making links to both the wider learning journey and the real world.
Model and develop key concepts to cement knowledge
Allow children to practise their procedural knowledge regularly.
Use concrete and pictorial models and analogies to help pupils develop a deeper understanding of geography concepts.
Build in regular checks for understanding during lessons, addressing misconceptions quickly and remodelling where necessary.
Ensure a focus on target geography language to enable pupils to articulate geography concepts with accuracy in both the spoken and written word.
Ensure pupils take pride in their written work, continually focus on their handwriting and quality of diagrams, and provide clear evidence in their books of responding to written and verbal teacher feedback.
Promote a love of physical geography, human geographical processes and maps.
Provide opportunities for subject-specific enrichment both inside and outside of school.
Geography In Early Years
In Early Years, children are introduced to geography by learning about their immediate surroundings and aspects of their familiar world. They will draw things they can see around them and communicate simple geographical information with support orally, using simple pictures, writing and maps.
Geography Whole School Curriculum Map
Treshold Concept
- Investigating places
- Investigating patterns
- Communicate geographically
