Geography

Intent 

Using Kapow Primary’s Geography scheme of work, Summerlea School aims to inspire pupils to become curious and explorative thinkers with a diverse knowledge of the world. We want our pupils to think like a geographer. We want them to develop the confidence to question and observe places, measure and record data in various ways, and analyse and present their findings.

Through our use of Kapow, we aim to build an awareness of how Geography shapes our lives at multiple scales and over time. We hope to encourage pupils to become resourceful, active citizens who will have the skills to contribute to and improve the world around them.

Kapow encourages:

• - A strong focus on developing both geographical skills and knowledge.
• - Critical thinking with the ability to ask perceptive questions and explain and analyse evidence.
• - The development of fieldwork skills across each year group.
• - A deep interest and knowledge of our locality and how it differs from other areas of the world.
• - A growing understanding of geographical concepts, terms and vocabulary.

Our curriculum is designed to develop knowledge and skills that are progressive, and be transferrable to other curriculum areas.

Implementation

Each geography unit is organised into four strands:

• - Locational knowledge
• - Place knowledge
• - Human and physical geography
• - Geographical skills and fieldwork

Our geography curriculum is a spiral curriculum, with essential knowledge and skills revisited with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revise and build on their previous learning. Locational knowledge, in particular, is reviewed in each unit to coincide with the belief that this will consolidate children’s understanding of key concepts, such as scale and place, in geography.

Geography is taught using a variety of enriching learning tools, such as first-hand experiences, using books, maps and digital technology. At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs the programme of study and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. We provide regular opportunities for children to explore our area and to strengthen geographical skills, such as fieldwork and map reading.

Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between geography, science and Forest School lessons. We use nearby locations for educational visits that link with current topics to enhance the cultural capital of our pupils and give learners a better awareness of local landmarks. Also, it embeds first-hand learning outside the classroom into our lessons.

We promote a language-rich Geography curriculum in each topic that encourages children to use subject-specific vocabulary.

Impact

The children at Summerlea School have a good knowledge of their surrounding area, it’s location, and human and physical features within it. This is evident from the regular field trips taken by the children to explore the area. They use these experiences to use geographical language to describe similarities and differences between their locality and other regions.

As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deeper knowledge, understanding an appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context. They are able to link geography with other parts of the curriculum especially during English and History lessons.

Summerlea children have a real sense of curiosity to find out more about their world and the features, cultures and people within it. Our geography curriculum helps shape children into curious and inspired geographers with respect and appreciation for the world around them alongside an understanding of the interconnection between the human and the physical.

To view our geography curriculum, click here.