Geography

Intent

At Weedon, our Geography curriculum is covered within our Dimensions lessons. Within these lessons we uphold the intentions of the National Curriculum. We uphold the intentions of the National Curriculum in that our Geography curriculum aims “to inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.” NC 2014.

We aim to 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. We aim to give them a better understanding of how Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time. As well as knowledge of places and processes, we aim for pupils to learn geographical skills related to fieldwork, using geographical sources and communicating their geographical understanding in a variety of ways.   Through the curriculum drivers of Communication, Culture, Conflict and Conservation, we aim for children to explore issues and raise and answer questions about what it means to live sustainably in an interdependent world and learn to value and care for the planet and all its inhabitants.

Implementation

Geography is taught through the Dimensions “Learning Means the World” Curriculum, which is driven by highly relevant world issues known as the 4 C’s: Culture, Communication, Conflict and Conservation. The geographical learning within these themes is designed to enable pupils to build on and contextualise prior learning, using a contemporary, meaningful framework. Geography is taught as part of a wider topic or theme but the composites and components (the key geographical substantive and disciplinary knowledge) are taught explicitly. Within each lesson there are opportunities for retrieval practice and new learning is linked to prior knowledge, enabling children to know more and remember more.   Geography lessons may not take place every week, but will fit into the teaching sequence of the topic to make the learning more meaningful and relevant. Where the attainment targets of the National Curriculum are not taught within wider topics, National Curriculum Essentials units will form part of the long-term planning in specific year groups to ensure good coverage. Teachers will look for opportunities for learning to take place outside the classroom, either in the local area or further afield, as well as welcome visitors to further enrich learning experiences.

Intent

Pupils’ achievement and progress in Geography towards age-related expectations (in both knowledge and skills) at each assessment point is measured by teacher assessment using knowledge and skills checklists, performance in summative assessment tasks and children’s independent work. 

Through learning walks and discussions with children, subject leaders will judge the impact of the curriculum in meeting its aims of inspiring pupils with a long-lasting curiosity and fascination about the world and its people.