Geography

Subject Leader – Mrs Boulton

Geography Intent

We provide a Geography curriculum that immerses pupils in learning that is memorable, engaging and meaningful. The Geography curriculum enables pupils to acquire and develop the knowledge, skills and vocabulary they need to be successful Geographers. Our Geography curriculum will enable the children to develop, apply and embed their skills through linked topic learning, building on what they already know and can do.

Pupils, following the national curriculum, will engage in a series of geography led topics. Pupils will develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They will learn to use basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness. Pupils will develop an understanding geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country (India).

Our Geography curriculum recognises the needs and experiences of learners at Damson Wood and provides opportunities for wider experiences they may not have been able to undertake. Our curriculum reflects the diversity of our school community and allows children to learn about where they live and about places connected to our pupils, e.g. India is selected for study in Year 2 as it is the home country of many school pupils.

National Curriculum Subject Content

Key stage 1

Pupils should develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They should understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical  geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness.

Pupils should be taught to:

Locational knowledge

• name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans
• name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas

Place knowledge

• understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country

Human and physical geography

• identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles
•  use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to:
  • key physical features, including: beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather
  • key human features, including: city, town, village, factory, farm, house, office, port, harbour and shop

Geographical skills and fieldwork

• use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the countries, continents and oceans studied at this key stage
• use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language [for example, near and far; left and right], to describe the location of features and routes on a map
• use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic
• human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key
• use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.