Intent

A stimulating geography education will inspire and nurture pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Teaching will equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments locally, nationally and globally.   Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped and change over time.

 

Implementation

Geography is taught in line with the National Curriculum and uses Cornerstones for the delivery of a creative curriculum.  Projects are selected based on children’s interests and therefore creating a stimulating learning environment both in and out of the classroom. Through memorable experiences children look at the local geographical aspects from Grendon and surrounding villages and the impact that might have occurred.  We want the children to become keen Geographers by teaching them skills,  knowledge and subject specific vocabulary.  Lessons take place in each year group’s classroom however, we encourage teachers to be creative with the location of where lessons take place and when lessons lend themselves to outdoor or active learning. We are fortunate to be located in a spatial environment, located in an area of key human and physical features.The rationale for the Cornerstones Curriculum takes the form of 10 big ideas that provide a purpose for the aspects, skills, knowledge and contexts chosen to form the substance of the curriculum. These big ideas form a series of multi-dimensional interconnected threads across the curriculum, allowing children to encounter and revisit their learning through a variety of subject lessons. Over time, these encounters help children to build conceptual frameworks that will enable a better understanding of increasingly sophisticated information and ideas.

Geography is taught with the following aspects to develop children with essential characteristics to help become Geographers:

WorldPlace: 

  • UK
  • Location
  • Position
  • Maps

Comparison:

  • Compare and contrast

Process:

  • Climate and weather
  • Physical process

Nature:

  • Physical features
  • Environment

Humankind:

  • Human features and landmarks
  • Settlements and land use

Investigation:

  • Geographical resources
  • Data analysis
  • Fieldwork

Materials:

  • Natural and mankind materials

Significance:

  • Significant places

Change:

  • Geographical change

Cornerstones clearly gives an intended curriculum progression, showing what is covered in different year groups. If an objective is not included teachers are directed to complete a stand alone lesson or link objective into a project. The progression is monitored termly by the subject lead.

 

Impact

Our Geography Curriculum is good quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression.  Children are assessed at the end of each lesson as to whether they have achieved that particular history learning intention and knowledge which is then recorded on Cornerstones, allowing the class teacher and the subject-leader to address any issues.