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Sherford Vale School and Nursery

Sherford ValeSchool and Nursery

Geography

Curriculum Statement for Geography

Rationale

The study of Geography is to enable pupils to understand the interaction of human beings with their environments– at personal, local, regional, national and global scales.

Incorporating the programmes of study from the National Curriculum, our Geography curriculum aims to:

  • Foster in children a curiosity and appreciation of the world around them.
  • Enable children to know about physical and human geography of our locality, of the UK and areas of the wider world.
  • Develop an understanding of the impact of physical and human geography on the lives of individuals and communities.
  • Develop an understanding of the legacy of our industrial heritage
  • Develop an understanding of our cultural heritage, for example, the Dartmoor National Park.
  • Promote knowledge and understanding of the rich cultural diversity of our world.
  • Develop place knowledge (countries, continents, rivers, seas, oceans, etc) and specific skills related to map reading.
  • Teach subject-specific vocabulary which will pupils will use accurately in oral and written work
  • Develop an understanding of issues through global learning, for example, climate change and fair trade.
  • Develop the skills of Geographical enquiry: observe, compare and contrast, locate, reason, explain, evaluate, hypothesise, predict.

Curriculum Intent

At Sherford Vale Primary School, we use the Connected Geography Scheme of Work to deliver the National Curriculum for Geography throughout Key Stage 1 and "Opening Worlds" scheme in KS2. Both schemes are well-sequenced, with a clear progression in knowledge, geographical skills, concepts and vocabulary and links to other curriculum subjects. 

In EYFS, pupils are taught the knowledge and skills for ‘Understanding the World’ using a thematic approach outlined in Development Matters (2021).

The themes are linked to the Scheme of Work for Key Stage 1 to ensure progression as pupils move from EYFS to Key Stage 1.

Enrichment

The Geography Curriculum is enriched in a variety of ways including:

  • Visits to the locality and wider area including Dartmoor National Park and the Devon coastline
  • Residential visit to Heatree House
  • Workshops from visiting specialists
  • Themed curriculum days
  • Displays and exhibitions for parents/carers

Year 2 experiencing a visit from a poultry farmer for their focus 'Why does it matter where our food comes from? '

Curriculum Implementation

EYFS

The EYFS Curriculum for Understanding the World is taught in variety of ways through adult-led and adult-supported tasks and child-initiated learning in well-resourced provision areas, both indoors and outdoors.

Key Stage 1 and Year 6

In Key Stage 1 and Year 6, one Geography topic is taught every other half-term, in a block of lessons, alternating with our History curriculum. This enables pupils to focus on aspects of particular topics for a greater period of time, allowing for greater depth of study, rather than teaching both History and Geography topics simultaneously.

KS2, Y3, Y4, Y5

In KS2, in Y3, Y4 and Y5 we follow the "Opening Worlds" scheme and geography is taught each term.

In studying geograpghy as a disciplin, pupils will: 

-engage in geographical reasoning about change (including past, present and future change), diversity across space, and interaction between places, phenomena and processes in the world; •

-collect, analyse, record and interpret geographical data, gaining skills of geographical enquiry, including fieldwork; •

-interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and digital technologies;

-communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

Cross Curricular Links

Cross curricular links have been mapped to promote creativity through subjects such as Music, English, Science, Art and Design and other subjects.

Progression and Assessment in Geography

EYFS

Regular observations and assessments of learning are recorded using Tapestry, an online journal, and contribute to a summative assessment at the end of EYFS using the Development Matters (2021) outcomes for Understanding the World.

KS1

Regular, ongoing observational assessments are made and termly assessments are recorded using iTrack. This information contributes to an end of year summative assessment.

KS2

End of unit quiz-style assessments of knowledge are made alongside observational assessments and assessments of independent work. Assessments of knowledge progression and concepts are recorded on iTrack. This information contributes to an end of year summative assessment.

Impact

The impact of the curriculum will be reviewed (during the year and at the end of the year), through observations and assessments of pupils’ learning and through pupil discussions about their learning, which includes discussion of their thoughts, ideas, processing and evaluations of work.