Geography

Intent

Our Geography curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Children investigate a range of places – both in Britain and abroad – to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes.

We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Little Hulton, Salford and Manchester. This can help them develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special.

Through high quality teaching, we develop the following essential characteristics of geographers:

• An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in Britain and in the wider world
• A comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected
• An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary
• Fieldwork skills as well as other geographical aptitudes and techniques
• The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding, about current issues in society and the environment
• A genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here

Implementation

Geography is taught termly, so that children achieve depth in their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each topic, and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group. The local area provides opportunities for learning outside the classroom.

• As part of the planning process, teachers plan the following:
• A knowledge organiser which outlines knowledge (including vocabulary) all children must master and apply in lessons.
• A cycle of lessons for each subject, which carefully plans for progression and depth concentrating on the geographical skills suited to the age group.
• A low stakes quiz which is tested regularly to support learners’ ability to block learning and increase space in the working memory.
• Challenge questions for pupils to apply their learning in a philosophical/open manner.
• Trips and visiting experts who will enhance the learning experience.
• Appropriate curriculum themed home learning tasks which children complete with adults at  home.

All children will have Quality First Teaching. Any children with identified SEND or in receipt of pupil premium funding may have work additional to and different from their peers in order to access the curriculum dependent upon their needs. As well as this, our school offers a demanding and varied curriculum, providing children with a range of opportunities in order for them to reach their full potential and consistently achieve highly from their starting points.

Impact

Our Geography Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. As well as a focus on knowledge and skills progression, discreet vocabulary progression also forms part of the units of work. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum using the following methods:

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes
• Assessment of children’s understanding of topic linked vocabulary before and after the unit is taught
• Summative assessment of pupil discussions about their learning.
• Pupil voice and discussions about their learning
• Moderation staff meetings where pupils’ books are scrutinised and there is the opportunity for a dialogue between teachers to understand their classes' work.
• Annual reporting of standards across the curriculum.
• Marking of written work in books.