Geography

Geography

Geography at St Chad’s Catholic Primary School

At St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, Geography helps pupils develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and their place within it. Through the study of people, places and environments, pupils learn about the diversity of the world and the relationships between human and physical processes.

Rooted in our Catholic ethos, we encourage pupils to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation and to develop a sense of responsibility for caring for the environment and the wider world.

Intent

Our Geography curriculum aims to inspire pupils’ curiosity about the world and develop their understanding of different places, cultures and environments.

Through the teaching of Geography, pupils will:

• develop knowledge of the world, including continents, countries and significant geographical features
• understand the differences between human and physical geography
• explore how environments change and how people interact with the world around them
• develop geographical skills including map reading, fieldwork and interpreting data
• gain a greater awareness of global issues and their role as responsible global citizens.

The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build their geographical knowledge and skills progressively as they move through the school.

Implementation

Geography is taught through engaging units that allow pupils to explore the world at different scales, from their local environment to global locations.

Pupils develop knowledge in the following key areas:

Locational knowledge – understanding where places are located and how they relate to each other.

Place knowledge – exploring the characteristics of different locations around the world.

Human and physical geography – learning about natural processes such as rivers and climate, alongside human features such as cities, settlements and land use.

Geographical skills and fieldwork – using maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping tools to investigate places and environments.

Fieldwork opportunities help pupils to explore their local area and develop practical geographical skills.

Through the geography curriculum, pupils develop both substantive knowledge (knowledge about places, environments and geographical features) and disciplinary knowledge (the skills used by geographers such as map reading, fieldwork and interpreting geographical data).

Progression

In Early Years, children begin to explore the world around them through their local environment and experiences within their community.

In Key Stage 1, pupils develop an understanding of their local area and begin to learn about different places in the United Kingdom and the wider world.

In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their understanding of global geography, studying a range of locations and geographical features while developing their skills in map work, data interpretation and fieldwork.

This progression ensures pupils build secure geographical knowledge and develop the skills needed to think critically about the world around them.

Impact

By the time pupils leave St Chad’s, they will have developed a strong understanding of the world and the relationships between people and environments.

Pupils will be able to:

• locate places using maps, atlases and globes
• understand key geographical concepts and vocabulary
• explain how human and physical processes shape the world
• think critically about environmental issues and sustainability.

The impact of the Geography curriculum can be seen through pupils’ work, discussions and their ability to apply geographical knowledge and skills across the curriculum.

Knowledge Organisers