Geography
Subject Intent
At St. Gregory’s Catholic Academy we believe Geography is an important part of the curriculum where pupils can become engaged and develop key skills. Geography is an exciting, relevant subject which can be seen in action in the daily lives of our pupils. There are many cross-curricular links to ensure pupils are able to see the subject in context of themselves and the lives of the community around them and wider world, developing their ideas of global citizenship.
Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography, pupils learn about their area and compare their life in this locality to other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography, pupils gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates pupils to find out about the physical world and enables them to recognise the importance of sustainable development for the future of humankind.
Geography contributes to the pupil’s appreciation of what is right and wrong by raising many moral questions. British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs are integrated into the Curriculum.
Geography from Our Children
"Geography tells us about places in the world, where they are and what they are like. We find out about how our world was made and how some places are very different to others. We understand that people in other parts of the world can live a very different life to us."
Implementation
The school focuses on developing the skills necessary for pupils to understand the changes of the world around them and the impact that they have on the world. Taught as an independent subject, we will deliver a progressive curriculum that builds up key knowledge and skills as they move though the primary curriculum.
Early Years Foundation Stage
Our youngest pupils learn about geography within the EYFS curriculum ‘Understanding of the World’. The objectives are set out in the Early Learning Goals, which underpin the curriculum planning of pupils aged between three and five years old.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1 pupils will develop their knowledge about the United Kingdom and their own locality. They will learn how to use maps, atlases and globes as well as learn simple compass directions. The pupils will also study seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and look at the hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the equator and the North and South Poles.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2 the pupils will look to extend their knowledge to beyond their local area and will study Europe as well as the wider world. They will begin to look at similarities and differences of human geography such as types of settlement and land use. They will also study physical geography elements such as climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes. Pupils will continue to use maps, atlases and globes and will use the 8 points of the compass in their work. They will start to consider the use of four and six figure grid references and ordinance survey maps.
Fieldwork
Fieldwork is integral to good geography teaching and we include as many opportunities as we can to involve pupils in practical geographical research and enquiry on our site in our local area and beyond.
National Curriculum for Geography Key Stage One and Key Stage Two
Fun Geography Links
