Through high standards of teaching and learning in geography, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Geography is taught in alternate cycles each year, building on the knowledge and skills gained in each key stage with a focus on the aims outlined in the National Curriculum. At Brentnall Primary School, we ensure that geography has the same importance given to it as the core subjects, as we feel this is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences and understand the world they live in.
At Key Stage 1, children begin with a focus on their school environment and local area, using simple maps to identify landmarks and plan basic routes. At this stage, children are beginning to develop their use of simple geographical language. Children should also be familiar with world maps and be able to identify countries.
In Lower Key Stage 2, children build on their learning and start to hone their geographical skills. Maps and language become more complex as children are able to study a wider range of topics including Europe, a climate study of South America and Forests.
In Upper Key Stage 2, children will strengthen their geographical knowledge, using more sophisticated technical terms. Children have the opportunity to take part in field studies, including a river visit, where they can record and analyse their findings in a variety of different ways.
Throughout the curriculum, there are opportunities to make cross-curricular links. For example, in Lower Key Stage 2, children have the opportunity to write a letter to their local council arguing the case for improvements to be made to their local parks. In Upper Key Stage 2, children undertake a project around rivers; alongside their fieldwork and geographical studies, children are able to plan and write a poem inspired by their work. At each stage of the curriculum, geography lessons allow children to develop key skills such as writing to argue and persuade.