Intent

The 2014 National Curriculum for geography aims to ensure that by the end of Key Stage 2, all children:

• 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: o collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes o interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) o communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

At Elworth Hall, we encourage children to be creative, resilient and inquisitive learners across the curriculum, in their play, in their extra-curricular activities, at home and beyond. In geography, our main intent is for children to become confident in applying the skills that they have acquired during their time at Elworth Hall and to be confident in their knowledge of the subject. At Elworth Hall, we aim to encourage and shape children's enthusiasm and motivation in their geography lessons. We also want children to develop a sense of respect for our world and be motivated to protect and preserve it now and in the future. We will provide children with opportunities to build on their skills each year, through a range of lessons, media and real life experiences. They will take part in cross-curricular activities, investigations, make comparisons and complete fieldwork to practise their skills.

Implementation

Teachers create a positive, inquisitive attitude to geography and will reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards. Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of geography involves the following;

• Staff will use the KAPOW scheme of learning to teach geography

• Geography will be taught by the class teacher/PPA teacher

• During their time at Elworth Hall, children learn about both their local geography and geography from around the world.

• Geography will be taught through a range of media and sources, including: books, websites and artefacts

• Children will learn how to use different tools to enhance their fieldwork

• With each programme of study, we build upon the learning and skills from previous years.

• Teachers will plan to; cover key facts, ask in-depth questions, develop geographical enquiry skills and provide fieldwork opportunities where appropriate, to deepen the understanding of a topic/skill

• Teachers plan creatively and with cross-curricular links where possible, to allow children to learn about a topic and apply their skills in a variety of ways

• Teachers use precise questioning in class to test conceptual knowledge and skills, and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in their learning

• Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding further, for example; by accessing learning from workshops with experts, theme days and school trips to complete fieldwork

Impact

As a result of an enriched and successful curriculum approach, children at Elworth Hall have the opportunity to become confident, knowledgeable geographers. Through the variety of lessons taught, sources of information and opportunities to learn outside the classroom, children will be able to apply their evolving geographical enquiry skills to a range of tasks and situations. Our aim is for children to have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge, ready to be built on further, once they leave Elworth Hall.