GEOGRAPHY

Geography around the school

THE GEOGRAPHY SUBJECT LEADER IS SOPHIE KIRK.

Intent

To help children understand how the human and physical features of a place shapes its location and can change over time.

Geography is essentially about understanding the world we live in. It helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. At Melbourne Primary School children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. We allow the children to understand how the human and physical features of a place shapes its location and can change over time. It is important that we inspire children to be curious about the world and the people within. A focus on local areas is important for children to develop understandings of their surroundings, with having a clear insight into the wider world and the developments. We pride ourselves on our creative learning environment and classroom displays. The curriculum is designed to develop knowledge and skills that are progressive, as well as transferable, through their time at Melbourne Primary School and also to their further education and beyond.

Implementation

Geography at Melbourne Primary School is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. The planning of the curriculum identifies the key knowledge and skills of each topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. Our curriculum equips children with knowledge and skills, looking at key physical and human processed, of their local areas and the wider world. Our curriculum is progressive, both developing their knowledge of the world and geographical skills.

At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already, through verbal discussions. This informs the assessment at the end of each topic, to show clear progress of development of knowledge and skills. Consideration is given to how the children will be taught, how they will learn and how learning will be demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between geography and history identified in the curriculum, planned for and utilised. The local area is utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practise, where possible.

Impact

Outcomes in geography books, evidence a broad and balanced geography curriculum and demonstrate children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. The progression of knowledge and skills is also evidenced on a class geography map, which travels with the children throughout different year groups, so previous learning can be addressed. Children review their successes in achieving the lesson objectives at the end of every session and are actively encouraged to identify their own target areas. Children show evidence of their learning through an end of topic assessment piece. These are presented slightly differently depending on the year group. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their local area, its place within the wider geographical context and establish solid geographical skills. Regular school trips provide further relevant and contextual learning to unpick and underpin key knowledge aspects and vital skills within the curriculum.

Recent Examples of Work

Progression of skills

Below you will find a document that maps the knowledge and the skills that the children will learn across Key Stage 1 and Key stage 2. You will notice that there is a balance of learning about subject knowledge and practical skills.  

Geography Policy

Below you will find the policy for Geography at Melbourne Primary School. The document includes information regarding our aims and approach to the teaching of Geography. 

Long Term Plans

Please find these attached to the curriculum page.