Geography Curriculum

Intent

The geography curriculum at Pepper Hill School is bespoke to meet the needs of our children.  It follows the National Curriculum as a basis for its content and framework.  We aim to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.  Teaching should equip pupils with the knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

Pupils will be taught about the location of the world’s continents, countries, cities, seas and oceans. They will develop skills of interpreting sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs, and geographical information systems.  Where possible, we will link Geography to other subject areas developing our cross curriculum contextual learning. Specialist vocabulary is taught and built on.

Geographical themes are informed by the National Curriculum and are designed to be progressive, outlining skills, knowledge and vocabulary that are taught in a sequential way, building in prior knowledge.  The curriculum has been designed to link to the local area which provides specific opportunities for fieldwork in the local area. In addition to local geography, we also progress to national and global topics, for example studying climate change and trade links.  Enrichment opportunities are added by year group teachers to spark interests of their cohort.

Implementation

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of geography involves the following:

• Geography is taught in weekly 2 hour lessons.
• Lessons are planned using progression maps provided to teachers to ensure skills are clear.
• Connect 4s are completed at the start of lessons to assess prior knowledge and identify gaps in understanding which can be addressed before moving on.
• Celebrating International Mother Language Day enables the whole school to be immersed in the inclusion of different cultures and languages.
• Explicit fieldwork opportunities included at least once per year.
• Collection of geography resources used to enhance lessons.
• Vocabulary glossaries built and added to throughout the school.
• CPD Insets provided to teachers to ensure high quality subject knowledge.
• World Maps in children’s books which they add to throughout the school.

Impact

Our geography curriculum is planned to demonstrate progression year on year. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods: 

• KWL grids completed for each topic
• Monitoring of books
• Pupil voice
• Learning walks
• Staff surveys