Geography
Georaphy Curriculum Statement
At St Oswald's CE Primary School we aim for all pupils to became coonfident and inquisitive geographers. We place a big emphasis on pupil's locational knowledge and geographical skill development.
We aim to provide a high-quality geography education that inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our curriculum is designed to equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.
Intent
At St. Oswald’s we want all of our children to develop a love of Geography and have a deep understanding of the geographical concepts that they learn.
We want our pupils to have a thorough knowledge of their local environment and show curiosity about the wider world; enabling them to become global citizens who show a keen interest of the geography around them. We want them to have ambitions of travelling to unknown destinations and inspire them to take an active role in preserving the future of our planet. Geography plays a vital part in the sustainability of the world’s natural resources so it is essential that our pupils have a deep understanding of this.
The aims of the National Curriculum are to:
- develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes
- understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time
We also aim to ensure that all pupils are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
- collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
- interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.
Implementation
Each class take enjoy regular geography lessons which form part of a termly themes (approximately 6-8 hours per term). A cross-curricular approach ensures that pupils are immersed within a theme and provides them with the opportunity to develop their geographical knowledge through a wide range of practical and exciting lessons. Geography learning begins in the Foundation Stage where pupils are taught about their personal geography. They develop observational skills and join in with discussions about their immediate environment. Staff also take into consideration pupils interests and provide opportunities for them to extend their knowledge about the wider world.
In Key Stage 1 and 2 pupils continue to learn about their own locality and begin to make comparisons with other locations. There are opportunities for pupils to develop their geography skills through map work and fieldwork. This provides pupils the chance to develop their observation and measuring skills as well as recording data and communicating their findings. These skills are taught progressively throughout the school and build upon pupil’s prior knowledge.
Impact
The Curriculum at St Oswald’s will mean that pupils have a real sense of their environment and the wider world. They will aquire age related knowledge as well as provide them with the skills to make their own deductions and form their own ideas about the world. Through fieldwork, pupils will have the opportunity for a hand’s on approach which allows them to apply skills they have practiced within the classroom.
At St Oswald’s we want all pupils to achieve their full potential in geography and have a clear understanding of the importance of sustainability for the future of our planet, and the impact they have on the planet, both locally and internationally.
Geography assessment at St Oswald’s
The assessment of geography is ongoing and help inform teachers planning. Pupil’s knowledge and achievement is ascertained throughout the lesson, misconceptions tackled through questioning, marking and feedback. All pupils are expected to and given time respond to feedback, so that there is evidence that misconceptions have been addressed.
Teachers use mini quizzes at the beginning of each lesson to recap previous knowledge or linked to knowledge organisers for the current theme. These inform staff of pupils needing support in specific areas and key knowledge or skills that need to be recapped.
Assessments are used at the end of a theme to assess pupils knowledge and skills. This assessment data is used to inform further planning to ensure that all pupils are on track to meet end of key stage expectations.
Resources
-Digimaps, Google Earth, Google maps (online mapping tools)
Each class has access to atlases, compasses, Ordnance Survey maps and non-fiction books which are stored centrally in the Geography cupboard.
Curriculum Development Opportunities
Fieldwork Within each theme pupils are given opportunities to develop their fieldwork skills both on the school grounds and in the local environment. We are very lucky to be located in an area that provides a wide range of geograpical locations e.g. towns, cities, rivers, coastal.
Key Stage Geography Quiz At the end of the school year the pupils from each key stage join together to take part in a geography quiz. The children are in mixed age and ability groupings and will answer questions regarding areas that have been covered throughout the key stage.
Gallery links
See below for examples of our pupils enjoing geography activities.
See the home learning tab for a range of useful links.
