Geography Curriculum Overview
Geography intent
- At Millbrook, where possible, we teach Geography through a topic approach. Cross curricular links ensure that the learning is embedded.
- Geography is 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 throughout 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.
- Geography helps our children develop a sense of identity too through learning about the United Kingdom and its relationships with other countries. Diversity informs our Geography teaching to ensure that stereotypes are not perpetuated particularly in our work on the wider world.
- We use a progression of knowledge and skills document which enables teachers to plan to meet the range of abilities throughout their year groups and ensures that the curriculum is skills focused. These levelled skills ensure that all abilities are catered for – extended and supported as appropriate.
- Our Geography curriculum at Millbrook 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 too
- In line with the national curriculum of 2014, the curriculum at Millbrook aims to ensure that all pupils receive a high quality, knowledge-rich curriculum which inspires a curiosity and fascination about the world around us.
- A Geography focused topic is 3 times a year.
- Geography is taught in carefully planned blocks throughout the year to enable in-depth, quality learning to take place. This enables all objectives to be covered and ensures progression throughout the school.
- If more appropriate, an area may be taught discretely.
- Cross curricular links in Geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between history, english, science, maths and computing in particular.
- WOW starters and fantastic finishers are used to engage and enhance the curriculum in Geography.
- Outside trips are an important vehicle in our teaching of Geography, particularly for fieldwork skills, and our outdoor grounds, local area and trips further afield are an integral part of our Geography teaching.
- At the beginning of each topic, teachers give children the opportunity to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. A recapping of prior learning can then take place. This informs the programme of study and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. Consideration is given to how greater depth children will be taught as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.
- Levelled skills inform planning which also ensures that all abilities are catered for – extended and supported as appropriate.
- WOW starters and fantastic finishers are used to engage and enhance the curriculum in Geography.
- As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context.
- By the time they leave year 6, they will have covered a wide range of geographical skills and topics, studied a variety of geographical locations, have an understanding of physical and human features and have used a range of map and field work skills. They will have utilised digital technologies as part of this too.
- In EYFS, Geography is covered as part of the ELG Understanding the World. Children learn the names of their country, town and roads as well as countries that are important to them. Children have access to maps as part of the classroom provision and explore their school environment.
- Evidence of our Geography work is shown in books. This is in a variety of forms including writing, diagrams, pictures, annotations, maps, photographs, research findings, data and notes. Frequently, our work in books be informed by fieldwork evidence. Occasionally, video recording may be used.
- Geography displays are evident in and around school – particularly in classrooms when the topic is Geography focused.
- Children have positive attitudes towards learning Geography at Millbrook.
- Children are encouraged not only to answer, but to ask relevant questions. They are encouraged to find out answers using field work and other resources including maps, digital technology, photographs, documents and data.
- Children are prepared to share what they’ve learnt in a variety of ways and are proud of their knowledge and achievements in Geography.
- Children will have built up a bank of knowledge about places and cultures around the world as well as locally.
Geography learning
