’You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself in any direction you choose’’ – Dr Seuss on places you will go.

 

Geography Intent

Our intent when teaching Geography is to inspire curiosity, fascination and respect in all children at Ann Edwards about the world around us and people within it. We will ensure all children are introduced to key geographical concepts, skills and subject-specific vocabulary giving them opportunities to develop their full potential through being inclusive of different types of thinking, learning and exploring and to become confident young geographers.

We aim to promote every child’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, natural and human environments and map reading together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We ensure that our innovative 21st Century topic led curriculum, progressively builds on key skills throughout each child’s time at Ann Edwards which encourages a lifelong love of learning and a respect for the world around them. We aim for children to achieve an understanding of the world we live in and help our children to persevere when they find a topic challenging, encouraging them to interact, get involved and explaining how they worked it out. All children will learn to respect each other’s opinions as well as offering their own in an inclusive environment. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. All children will engage in activities that make a positive contribution to the world around them. They will demonstrate the value of service for example by making changes to support climate change, or litter picking in their local area. School trips and fieldwork are provided to give first hand experiences in diverse and inclusive settings. All our pupils feel a sense of belonging to the school and community as well as being ready to make a positive contribution to the wider world.

 

In EYFS we follow the Early Learning Goal, People, Culture and Communities – The Natural World. All children explore the natural world around them, persevering in making observations and becoming familiar with some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments. They build upon their oracy skills through commenting and questioning about aspects of their familiar world in an inclusive environment. In KS1 and KS2 we use the National Curriculum Geography Program of Study. All children in KS1 gain an understanding of human and physical geography through exploring the similarities and differences of two different locations. All children will be taught map reading skills and will develop these skills using a compass and aerial photographs, as well as taking part in fieldwork and observation skills of their local environment. This in turn builds on their geographical oracy skills. In KS2, we will help all children persevere to continue to develop their map reading skills, including using compass points, grid references. They explore topographical features as well as different land uses in the UK, followed by countries around the world. Children persevere in developing a deeper understanding of different countries and how diverse they are, comparing them to our own. Children develop their oracy skills through fieldwork, answering and questioning, service in the local community, exploration and experiences.

Aims

Through our Geography teaching we aim to ensure that we:

  • Help pupils develop knowledge and understanding of places and themes including patterns and processes.
  • Foster children’s sense of wonder at the world around them.
  • Help pupils develop a sense of identity through learning about the UK and its relationships with other countries.
  • Develop an informed concern about the future of our planet.
  • Enhance children’s sense of responsibility for the acre of the earth and its inhabitants.
  • Teach the skills and knowledge necessary to develop children as geographers.
  • Encourage learning through enquiry-based projects and lessons in order to develop children’s independent research skills.
  • Help children understand how to use a map in a variety of different contexts.