Intent
The intent of geography education in our small rural primary school is to provide our pupils with a well-rounded understanding of the world around them. We want to instill in our students a curiosity and fascination for different places, cultures, and environments, as well as develop their knowledge, skills, and understanding of geographical concepts.
In our Geography lessons, we offer a structure and sequence of lessons to ensure coverage of the skills and knowledge required to meet the aims of the national curriculum whilst allowing for a broader, deeper understanding of the four areas of geography identified in the curriculum. It will develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places and understanding of the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, along with how they bring about variation and change over time. We intend to develop children’s curiosity and a fascination of the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our curriculum offers a range of opportunities for investigating places around the world as well as physical and human processes. The lessons are intended to improve children’s geographical vocabulary, map skills and geographical facts and provide opportunities for consolidation, challenge and variety to ensure interest and progress in the subject.
The curriculum will develop both disciplinary and substantive knowledge. The Geography curriculum aims to enable our learners to develop an understanding of their own environment whilst also broadening their understanding of the wider world.
Implementation
At Downholland Haskayne CE Primary School we have mixed age classes and so to ensure continuity and progression of skills and learning we have developed our curriculum using a two-year rolling programme in Key stage 1 and a four-year rolling programme in KS2.
In KS1, children begin to use maps and recognise physical and human features related to the local area, building to using maps to explore the continents and oceans of the world. Further on our learners begin to compare where they live to places outside of Europe and ask and answer geographical questions. In KS2, map skills are developed further using digital maps, and more keys and symbols, and children begin to use additional fieldwork skills. In Key Stage 2 all children expand on their skills in local knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography, geographical skills and fieldwork.
Through revisiting and consolidating skills, our lesson plans and resources help children build on prior knowledge alongside introducing new skills and challenge. Across both key stages, children have a range of opportunities to experience geography through practical engaging tasks beyond the classroom.
Careful assessment through a variety of retrieval tasks enable teachers to plan lessons to meet learning needs.
Our curriculum offers both substantive and disciplinary knowledge which provides our pupils with a breadth of study. Our Geography curriculum is based upon the development of both types of knowledge and skills.
Substantive knowledge, which includes factual knowledge of the world around us (e.g. locational knowledge of places); as well as knowledge about geographical phenomena (e.g. physical processes and economic systems). Substantive knowledge is established fact that is not open to debate.
Disciplinary knowledge, which is described by Ofsted (2023) as the ‘knowledge of how geographical knowledge is formed, debated and contested’. It is knowledge about the discipline of geography, and it is through disciplinary knowledge that students learn the practices of geographers. These include:
knowing how geographers think; students need to know the key geographical concepts and conceptual frameworks that help us to make sense of the world and generate new geographical ideas.
knowing how geographers work and find out; developing their own capabilities through practice. This includes skills and techniques such as using maps, critical thinking and argumentation, geographical enquiry and fieldwork.
knowing how to make use of geography; this is the application of geographical knowledge and understanding to everyday experiences and real-world issues. Geographical application involves applying conceptual understanding, holistic thinking, analysing situations, making judgements and arguing a case
Impact
Our implementation of our Geography Curriculum will lead to the following impact:
1. Engaged and Independent Learners
Pupils will develop a genuine interest and enthusiasm for geography. They will actively seek out new knowledge, explore different perspectives, and use geographical skills to investigate and solve problems. They will be equipped with the tools needed to continue their geographical learning beyond the classroom.
2. Secure Substantive and Disciplinary Knowledge
Pupils will acquire a secure knowledge base in geography, including key facts, vocabulary, and a good understanding of geographical concepts. They will also develop a range of disciplinary knowledge and skills, such as fieldwork techniques, data analysis, and critical thinking. This solid foundation will enable them to apply their knowledge and skills in real-life situations.
3. Cultural Understanding and Global Perspective
Pupils will demonstrate an appreciation of cultural diversity and a global perspective. They will develop an understanding of the interconnections between people, cultures, and environments worldwide. They will approach global issues with empathy, resilience, and an awareness of their role in creating a more sustainable and equitable future.
4. Successful Transitions and Future Opportunities
Through our outstanding geography education, pupils will be well-prepared for the next stage of their education. They will have the necessary knowledge, skills, and global awareness to thrive in secondary school and beyond. Their geographical understanding and skills may also inspire and open doors to future careers related to geography, environmental science, international relations, and other global professions.
In conclusion, our intent is to deliver outstanding geography education that develops our pupils into curious, knowledgeable, and responsible global citizens. Through well-sequenced curriculum design, engaging learning experiences, and a focus on cultural understanding and the development of disciplinary knowledge and skills, we will have a positive and lasting impact on our pupils’ understanding of the world and their place within it.
Our curriculum builds from the Early Learning Goals in the EYFS statutory framework and Development Matters to the National Curriculum Objectives for Y1-6. The curriculum makes links with the wider world, advancing the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development of our learners and growing their understanding of British Values. Our curriculum is delivered as part of cohesive units of work.