Geography
Mr C Nondo
INTENT
At Marlborough our intent for Geography is to inspire children’s curiosity, interest and appreciation for the world that we live in. We intend to equip children with geographical skills to develop their knowledge through studying places, people and natural and human environments. As geographers, pupils are exposed to a rich and balanced curriculum that provides them with new vocabulary. Pupils will also be exposed to different types of maps, investigating the local area of Harrow as well as the wider area.
As pupils progress through the school, they will develop an understanding of links between physical and human processes; how landscapes and environments change over time, and how these factors affect them. Pupils will develop fieldwork skills through each year and over their time at the school. Our Geography curriculum has been developed to work alongside our History curriculum and other subjects through Dimensions. Where possible, History is woven into Geography lessons to ensure children have a good understanding of how changes have occurred over time. The topics taught have been specifically selected to ensure all pupils make progress and embed knowledge throughout their years at Marlborough.
IMPLEMENTATION
Teaching and Learning
Our whole school approach is designed to develop Geographical knowledge, skills and vocabulary from Early Years to Year 6. There is progression in each year group throughout each child’s time at our school to reinforce and enhance the children’s Geographical skills. At Marlborough, Geography is delivered through our ‘Learning Means the World’ cross-curricular thematic units which are linked to relevant topics in today’s world. Geography Curriculum Maps have been carefully planned to ensure coverage and progression from Nursery to Year 6. Skills and knowledge are assessed and tracked throughout the units and at the end to see progress. Teachers refer to these documents to support the teaching and learning of National Curriculum objectives by planning stimulating and challenging lessons. Alongside these materials, we use a variety of resources and experiences to give children the opportunity to develop their Geographical understanding.
Geographical Vocabulary
Geographical vocabulary is used throughout all Geography units and children are supported in using the language accurately and effectively. Key Geographical vocabulary is displayed on Working Walls and within Knowledge Organisers for all year groups, and is referred to in every lesson.
Resources and Equipment
In Geography children use a variety of resources such as maps, atlases and compasses as well as other specific resources to enhance their learning. In addition, children will investigate the local and wider area of the school to learn about nature, human features, physical features and the impact that these have had on the environment.
Whole school events
During the academic year each year group will take part in a whole school Geography focus event in which they will have the opportunity to enhance their fieldwork knowledge and skills. Children will have the opportunity to plan directions to different places according to their age group. Children will take diagrams, photos and enquire about the locations that they choose to investigate. Children will analyse maps and design their own maps for the area.
Feedback and Assessment
Teachers monitor children’s skills and knowledge throughout each unit. Children’s progress is assessed against the national curriculum objectives, which are then used to inform future planning. During Geography lessons verbal and live feedback is given to the children to check and deepen their understanding of Geography.
Inclusion
Children with additional needs are included in all Geography lessons. Tasks are adapted to help them make progress and develop their skills and knowledge at their own pace.
Knowledge Organisers
Knowledge organisers are created by teachers and shared with children during every Dimensions unit. Knowledge Organisers contain key vocabulary and key knowledge for the unit.
Continuous Professional Development
At Marlborough we recognise the importance of professional development and the significant impact on teaching and learning of children. Best practice is shared with staff through meetings, INSETs and emails. Geography Insets are delivered by the Geography Lead and used to develop effective teaching strategies and keep up to date with the subject knowledge of Geography.
Leadership
High quality and effective leadership in Geography is important in improving the quality of Geography teaching and learning at Marlborough. The Geography Lead has responsibility in ensuring that the quality of teaching allows children to progress across the school.
The Geography is expected to:
- Support teachers to develop their subject knowledge.
- Support teachers about best practice
- Monitor books and progression across the school to ensure the quality of Geography is maintained and improved
- Develop their own subject knowledge and skills to improve the implementation of Geography
- Deliver INSETs for teaching Geography
IMPACT
Our high quality and well thought out Geography curriculum has been specifically planned to ensure that progression of skills and knowledge over time is evident. The successful teaching of Geography at Marlborough Primary School will result in a fun, engaging and high-quality Geography education that provides children with the foundations for understanding of the world.
As a result of the above, the following can be seen:
- Outcomes in curriculum books and experiences will provide evidence of broad and balanced Geography learning
- As children progress they will develop their knowledge and understand an appreciation of their local area
- Children will have experiences of the outdoor learning environments, both within the school grounds, the local area and the wider area through different activities and investigations
- Children acquire navigational skills and how to use a variety of maps to locate places
- Children understand what skills they are learning in Geography and how they are developed