Worthington Primary School Geography Curriculum Statement  

Geography Curriculum- Intent

At Worthington we believe Geography is fundamental in enabling children to develop a coherent understanding of the world around them.  The teaching of this subject will equip our pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources, and natural and human environments together with a greater understanding of their connection to the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We want to encourage the children to respect and care for their local, national and international environments. Our pupils are encouraged to recognise that they have a voice and to use it confidently to debate topics that they feel passionate about, for example, deforestation or renewable energy. We aim to produce well- rounded individuals by providing our children with opportunities to expand their cultural capital and experiences of the world.

Geography Curriculum- Implementation

At Worthington Primary School, Geography is taught over three half-termly blocks in which the children will investigate an enquiry question in depth.

• Teachers in EYFS follow the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ guidance. Geography is still enquiry based, it is then taught, shared and assessed through the specific area of Understanding the World (The World and People and Communities).
• Teachers in KS1 have created a bespoke lesson sequence which ensures it meets the ambition and breadth of the national curriculum and allows progression.
• Teachers in KS2 use the Rising Stars scheme as a structure to support their planning. The scheme offers complete coverage of the Geography curriculum with knowledge-rich, high-quality digital resources. Staff supplement the planning with other resources.

Geography curriculum planning at Worthington is closely linked with History and Science planning so that links can be made between topics. Additionally, children are given regular opportunities to revisit prior learning to ensure that knowledge sitting deeper in their memory is brought forward into their working memory; enabling this knowledge to be built upon. We recognise the fact that we have children of differing ability in all our classes, and so we provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. We achieve this through a range of strategies which are differentiated by task, expected outcome and/or support from peers or adults.

Work is recorded in topic books and can be evidenced in variety of ways including photographs, sketches, charts and written pieces.

Geography- Impact

The impact of our curriculum is that children will understand geographical vocabulary and the different strands of Geography, with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Children will begin to make relevant links from geography to other curriculum subjects, such as history and science.

We use a range of strategies to assess what skills and knowledge the children have attained each term including the following:

• Proof of progress tasks
• Pupil voice
• Regular feedback each lesson
• Staff CPD

At Worthington, assessment is an integral part of the teaching process. Assessment is used to inform planning and to facilitate differentiation. The assessment of children’s work is on-going to ensure that understanding is being achieved and that progress is being made. Feedback is given to the children as soon as possible, and marking work is guided by the school’s Feedback and Marking Policy.