Geography
“Geographers never get lost. They just do accidental field work.”
Nicholas Chrisman, Professor of Geomatic Sciences
“The world is not in your books and maps, it’s out there.”
Gandalf to Bilbo in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Intent
At Ursuline Catholic Primary School, we aim to deliver a high-quality Geography curriculum, in our experiences in the classroom, with the use of fieldwork and educational visits. These will inspire in pupils a curiosity about the world and its people. We wish to instil a love for Geography in our pupils and develop their knowledge of the world, as well as their place within it.
Our aim is to offer every student the chance to explore and cultivate their geographical knowledge, spanning from their local area to the wider world. This encompasses developing a solid foundation in locational awareness, comprehension of both human and physical geographical features, and honing essential fieldwork techniques. Our primary objective is to foster a deep passion for Geography, nurturing inquisitiveness not only about their local environment but also about the broader world.
We aim to provide all pupils with opportunities to investigate and build geographical expertise from their local area to the wider world. This includes locational knowledge, understanding of human and physical features and geographical and fieldwork techniques.
We will encourage pupils to ask questions and to help find answers to environmental problems within their local community and the wider world. As an Eco-School we will continue to increase our awareness of environmental issues and the impact humans have on our planet. We will encourage our pupils to make careful choices to help protect our planet.
Implementation
In Reception, the pupils have their first opportunity to interact with their environment. They have access to a large, well planned and engaging outdoor space. In Reception they can begin to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment – this is the first step of becoming a geographer.
In KS1 and KS2, the National Curriculum guidelines are followed to ensure the knowledge and skills of Geography are being taught across all year groups.
From EYFS to the end of KS2, pupils will be taught subject specific vocabulary pertaining both to our local area and wider world.
Geography lessons are planned by following the progression of skills for Geography. Prior learning is always the first part of the sequence of learning. The lessons build pupils’ knowledge and understanding of the world and the interaction between physical and human processes through high quality teaching. We provide opportunities to develop their skills and fieldwork using maps and atlases (both physical and digital). Our whole school unit of fieldwork (Autumn 1) allows pupils to apply geographical skills in a real-life setting and explore their local area and the features within it.
At Ursuline Catholic Primary School, we are very fortunate of our school's geographical location. As such, the children have a number of opportunities to visit Beach School to enhance their learning within their local area.
Impact
Our well planned and well-taught lessons provide pupils with opportunities to research and apply skills independently - skills essential for lifelong learning. Pupils will leave KS2 with a strong knowledge of their local area and the location of other countries and cities around the world. All pupils will be able to discuss and recall a variety of events and where they happened in the world, as well as explain aspects of human and physical geography and confidently use maps and atlases (physical and digital).
The knowledge and skills acquired throughout their time at Ursuline enables them to meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and prepares pupils to become competent geographers before entering secondary education. We want pupils to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about geography, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.