Intent
Through geography at Jackfield, pupils explore the features of the world and the relationships between people and their environments. We understand that our young children enter our school with a limited understanding of the world. The vision for Geography is for pupils to develop their locational knowledge and to promote a pupils’ sense of place within their local area. Our curriculum enables pupils to gain the knowledge, understanding and skills to inspire a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Through our curriculum our aim is to equip children with geographical skills to develop their knowledge through studying places, people and natural and human environments. Pupils learn to develop their location knowledge through the use of maps and fieldwork. Pupils develop their knowledge about diverse places and people.
Implementation
Expectations are developed from use of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework and the National Curriculum for KS1 alongside the Jackfield Infant School progression of knowledge and skills document, ensuring that all key elements of the subject are covered and we build upon our prior learning.
Powerful Knowledge Teachers use key concepts throughout the school to use a schema approach to build on prior knowledge and committing knowledge to the long-term memory. Pupils will be introduced to key subject vocabulary linked to Geography and key geography knowledge is revisited frequently, built upon prior knowledge. Progression of knowledge and skills – to develop prior knowledge and learning. Geography is taught linked to our topic in both standalone lessons or cross curricular lessons so children can achieve depth in their learning.
Excellence for all
Through high quality teaching, all children are equipped with the knowledge about the world and location. This enables children to develop their ideas, understanding, values and their sense of place. Teachers will follow the progression of knowledge and skills document that lessons are planned for all children to access new skills, with an inclusivity for all. Pupils are support with questioning and the appropriate level of scaffolding for their learning. We use our Geography evaluation grid to identify next steps within lessons.
Literacy
The pupils are taught to understand use subject-specific vocabulary. They are taught and encouraged to ask questions and express their own ideas about diverse places, people and the human and physical processes. Non fiction texts are used to support the powerful knowledge that is gained. This may be through topic texts or guided reading sessions.
Wider world
Pupils develop their knowledge of the wider world and develop confidence to ask questions. Pupils develop an understanding of places beyond their home- within Stoke-on-Trent and beyond which develops their curiosity to explore and learn about the wider world. ICT is used to enhance the pupils learning to access understanding beyond their own experiences e.g Google Earth and Google Expeditions.
Impact
Our Geography curriculum is high quality and carefully constructed to build upon prior knowledge, so children can remember and learn more. Our pupils enjoy learning about the world and develop the skills and knowledge relevant to becoming geographers.
We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
• Pre and post learning quizzes based upon our knowledge organisers are used to support effective learning through recall
• Pupil discussions about their learning demonstrate what they remember
• Pupils develop a greater understanding of the world around them.