Intent

At North Denes Primary School, geography encourages children to observe, question and investigate the world around them. They are enabled to develop curiosity and understand the changing world. As our pupils progress through our school, and increase their Geographical skills, their growing knowledge about the world will help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. The teaching of geography will equip our pupils with a breadth of knowledge about diverse places, people, cultures, resources and environments which will encourage children to gain a respect for their local and global environment. With many opportunities for field work, children will gain confidence as practical learners through hands-on experience. Children will learn to understand and compare their local environment to other locations around the world, giving them a better world view which will equip them well as they progress into Key Stage 3.

Implementation

Our Geography curriculum is carefully planned to build upon prior knowledge, while working towards a meaningful outcome each term. Medium term plans offer a well-structured sequence of knowledge which enables children to answer a key question. Key questions are designed to be revisited and give teachers a clear goal to aim towards. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Each unit has a knowledge organiser, created by teachers, which is based on medium term plans. These knowledge organisers are stuck into books (floor book for EYFS and year 1), and are child friendly and accessible to all. They allow children to look back on prior learning and help them to remember key knowledge. Our curriculum allows for cross-curricular links to English, science, history and R.E, allowing children to see how geography does not stand alone, but has links to other areas of the curriculum. 

Impact 

At North Denes Primary School, the geography curriculum is regularly assessed to ensure best practice. Geography is assessed in many ways, such as through:

• Book scrutinies
• Discussions with children
• Discussions with teachers
• Assessment grids completed by teachers, as a unit is completed. These give a clear outline of the level of understanding for every child in the school. 
• Monitoring of planning
• Attending relevant CPD
• Annual action plans, outlining a clear vision for the year ahead. 
• A governors’ report that is written each year, highlighting the current attainment levels in school, areas of strength and next steps.