Why is Geography important?
Geography helps us to make sense of the world around us, better understand the places we live in, learn about and visit, why they matter and how they are connected to a globalised world. Through Geography, we encounter different societies and cultures and learn to appreciate the incredible diversity of landscapes and peoples. In Geography, we face questions of what it means to live sustainably in an interdependent world and learn to value and care for the planet and all its inhabitants. Geography is Histories present. What we do now will impact those inhabiting our planet in the future.
Intent:
At St Mary’s our intention is that our children will gain knowledge and understanding of places in the world and recall this knowledge throughout their education. Also, they will benefit from a Geography Curriculum, which provides a wide base of knowledge and skills, relevant to the ever changing human and physical elements of Geography around them. Furthermore, children will study Geography on a local, national and international level enabling them to understand the effect humans have on quality of life and the environment. Through this, the children will discover that when Gospel values are applied this effect can be positive. Finally, as children leave St Mary’s, they will prepared with a range of skills that will allow them to be positive agents for change through delivering the message of Laudato Si.
Implementation:
Geography is taught as discrete units in every other half term. Skills taught are planned progressively ensuring that children have knowledge already embedded to build upon in their current unit. Progression is planned to address the key areas Geography. The focus of the unit of learning will include the main aspects of the Geography curriculum: Location and Place Knowledge; Human and Physical Features and Geographic and Fieldwork Skills. Learning is planned for children to progressively grow in knowledge and skills to become geographers. Teaching implements the Recap & Recall structure of questioning at the beginning of each lesson, covering questions based on present and previous learning. Planning and questions use explicit links to the school’s intent and curriculum, helping the children to make links and build on their learning skills from other subjects such as English and History. Discrete tier two and three vocabulary is modelled and rehearsed in each topic area to support knowledge acquirement and extend the children’s vocabulary. Immersion or Hook days for History and Geography enable children to recall and remember their recent studies, make links to previous learning and spend a day immersed in this area of the curriculum twice a year Fieldwork and outside learning opportunities support our teaching and learning in order to cover the fieldwork aspect of the curriculum whenever possible. Gospel values are embedded in each topic and children are regularly encouraged to discuss their learning in the light of these.
Impact:
We firmly believe that Geography is an ‘umbrella’ subject because of its capacity to make tangible and effective connections across subjects. Geography’s fundamental role lies in helping children to understand the world, its environments and places near and far, and the processes that create and affect them. This learning goes beyond the results of the statutory assessments and primary life and enables children to become global citizens. Progress in Geography is measured using weekly evidence from high quality teaching and learning and Hook days during each term.