Geography
Intent
At Park we want to enable our children to learn about and understand the world that they live in so that they can flourish and reach their potential. We believe that Geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the Earth. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. We want them to celebrate diversity as well as respect and value others in all communities.
The geography curriculum at Park Junior enables children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas and which can and are used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, slowing children to build knowledge, skills, confidence and independence to enable children to be successful citizens in their future world. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural as well as human environments and to enable children to develop local, national and global awareness.
Implementation
Geography at Park is taught as part of a termly topic, so that children can learn to make links between their geographical knowledge and other areas of the curriculum. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. We use a range of teaching and learning styles in our geography sessions and encourage children to ask and answer geographical questions. Children have opportunities to use a variety of data, such as maps, graphs, pictures, aerial photographs and IT programs where this serves to enhance their learning. Children take part in role play, group discussions and presentational activities. All this allows the children to be able to communicate geographically. They will be able to understand geographical representations, vocabulary and techniques. Whenever possible the children are given opportunities to take part in ‘real’ or ‘outdoor’ activities. This may involve researching and taking part in an environmental project, data logging or use of the internet to investigate a current topical issue. We give the children the opportunity to really investigate places. This concept involves understanding the geographical location of places as well as their physical and human features. We want the children to understand the relationships between the physical features of places and the human activity within them, and gain an appreciation of how the world’s natural resources are used and transported.
Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between the geography curriculum and English lessons enabling further contextual learning. Planning is informed by and aligned with the national curriculum. Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.
Park Junior School provides an inclusive teaching and learning environment that recognizes there are children of widely different abilities in all our classes. We provide a range of learning opportunities in geography to enable all children to succeed. We do this by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child.
Impact
Outcomes in linked learning and English books, evidence a broad and balanced geography curriculum and demonstrate children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Children review the success criteria at the end of every session and are actively encouraged to identify their own target areas, with support from their teachers. Children also record what they have learned comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic. The children will also progress from answering straight forward closed questions in year three, to more open questions and eventually deeper discussion around the areas of study in year six. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding an appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context.
The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at Park Junior are equipped with geographical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about geography, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.