Geography statement of intent:

At Emmanuel, Geography is a key component of our broad and balanced curriculum as we aspire for all children to experience ‘life in all its fullness’.

Emmanuel’s Geography curriculum is based on Kapow Primary’s Geography scheme. It aims to inspire pupils to become curious and explorative thinkers with a diverse knowledge of the world - to think like a geographer. We want pupils to develop the confidence to question and observe, measure and record necessary data in various ways, and analyse and present their findings. We aim to build an awareness of how Geography shapes our lives at multiple scales and over time and hope to encourage pupils to become resourceful, active citizens who will have the skills to contribute to and improve the world around them.    

Throughout our Geography curriculum, we encourage the children to be curious about the world around them, from local environments to global landscapes, helping them make connections between people, places, and cultures. By using a range of interactive activities such as map reading, field trips, and exploration of different ecosystems, geography stimulates critical thinking and problem-solving skills. This hands-on approach inspires students to ask questions, develop a sense of wonder about the world, and nurture a lifelong interest and love of learning.

Our curriculum encourages:

• A strong focus on developing geographical skills, knowledge and understanding.
• Critical thinking, and inquiry skills with the ability to ask perceptive questions, explain and analyse evidence and also be able to debate and discuss concepts as geographical thinkers.
• A deep interest and knowledge of pupils’ locality and how it differs from other areas of the world.
• Full coverage of the National curriculum through engaging, supportive and stimulating activities which inspire curiosity and encourages children to explore new ideas, enriched by school trips and visits.
• Sequenced learning, ensuring that knowledge is built upon across year groups from Early Years upwards.
• Students to feel represented and valued while fostering empathy, respect, and a broad understanding of each others’ cultures and perspectives. We take advantage of the diverse cultures, backgrounds and experiences of our community at Emmanuel which supports children in developing a broader understanding of the world and an appreciation for diversity.

Introduction to Geography

The Geography curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced from EYFS to Year 6 to ensure that current learning is linked to previous learning and that our teaching is informed by current pedagogy on how we can help children learn more and remember more.  Geography is taught through the following key strands:

• Place knowledge
• Locational knowledge
• Human and physical Geography
• Geographical skills and fieldwork

Geography skills from EYFS to Year 6

In EYFS, Geography links most directly to these areas of learning and development within the Foundation Stage:

• Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community.
• People, Culture and Communities where children are encouraged to think about similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries; drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and when appropriate, maps.
• The Natural World- where children should note some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments and understand some processes and changes in the natural world such as the seasons.

In KS1, Geography is taught in half-termly units throughout the year; introducing children to key geographical concepts, places and locations.  Children will begin to identify and locate continents and oceans using maps and globes and begin to use positional language as well as basic compass directions.  Children will also start to consider the similarities and differences of places in the United Kingdom and use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to the different physical and human features.

In KS2, Geography continues to be taught half-termly throughout the year and builds on the foundation of skills children acquired in KS1. Children will develop their knowledge of places around the world; using maps and atlases to locate different countries, cities and lines of longitude and latitude.  They will begin to consider the human and physical geography of places around the world, comparing and contrasting key locations. They will also begin to explore the link between environmental, physical and human geography and develop an appreciation of the interconnectedness between them.

We enrich the children’s experience of geography through a wide range of trips, which are embedded within the curriculum and help children become fully immersed as keen geographers.

Curriculum Map

Please see below for an overview of what your child will be learning in Geography in each year group.