Intent

At SS. Mary and John’s Catholic Primary Academy we believe that a high-quality Geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.
Teaching should 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.

Implementation

Through their work in Geography, children learn about their local area and compare their life in this area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. As pupils progress, they deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and use subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical Geography, with accuracy and confidence.

Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills for each unit and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group from EYFS to the end of Key Stage Two. Geography is led by an enquiry approach where each unit has a ‘big question’ and each lesson has subsequent questions to deepen understanding.

In the Early Years, pupils explore geographical themes and content through the Understanding of the World strand of the EYFS curriculum. This involves guiding the children to develop a sense of their physical world, as well as their community, alongside opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.

Impact

As children progress through the school, they acquire key knowledge and skills and develop a sound knowledge and understanding of both human and physical Geography in line with National Curriculum objectives. Children will appreciate their local area and its place within the wider geographical context.

Our children will gain an 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.

Geography will enable children to recognise the importance of sustainable development and become responsible citizens of the world.