Intent
At Warren Primary Academy, we believe that every child should be provided with opportunities to foster curiosity about the world close around them, and the wider world. Children will be given knowledge and skills to explore and compare different cultures, and be able to celebrate, respect, and champion their diversity through the curriculum they are taught. Our pupils progressively develop knowledge of where places are and what they are like, and have an understanding of the ways in which places are interconnected, with the knowledge that they have the potential to travel to these places in the future. Through memorable teaching and learning experiences, and wider opportunities, children at Warren develop an excitement about Geography, and can confidently use technical vocabulary when discussing their learning. Our children are provided with the potential to make a difference through their learning, and an exposure to a wider range of global issues.
Aims
The national curriculum for history aims to ensure that all pupils:
- 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
- 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
Geography lessons will be sequenced by class teachers in their planning to continue building on key knowledge, both within the current unit being taught, and on previous geography knowledge. Children have the opportunity to use different resources to lead their own learning, and will be taught how to use each one. These include, but are not limited to: digital maps through iPads, computers etc., atlases and OS maps. Fieldwork opportunities will be frequent, whether this is around school, or exploring the local area. All children will be provided with the opportunity to have their learning enriched through out of school visits. Children in KS1 and KS2 develop the knowledge of the four national curriculum areas; locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography and geographical skills and fieldwork. In EYFS, teachers will ensure they meet requirements of Development Matters. The classroom environment will excite children about their learning in geography, and celebrate what they are learning and have achieved. Geography is inclusive to every child, and is adapted to meet every child’s need. Resources will be differentiated and varied, in order to meet the needs of every child, allowing them to achieve their potential.
A geography lesson at Warren includes:
- A power up – a review of a previous learning, either from the current unit or from a previous unit in any previous year group.
- Sharing of the sequence of learning with the children, so they know where they are going.
- Resources will be used to foster children’s curiosity.
- Teachers supporting children in all areas of the lesson.
Throughout their time at Warren, children will complete learning through 6 key concepts: Place and space, scale, change and sustainability, environment, cultural understanding and diversity, and interconnection.