Geography
Geography is essentially about understanding the world we live in. It helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world.
INTENT
At St Paul's, our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision, which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability or additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. Our intent when teaching geography, is to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about our local area, their place within it, and how it fits within the wider world. To achieve this, we intend to provide first-hand experiences and inspiring learning opportunities, which will promote the children's interest, respect and understanding of their local environment. We also aim for them to grow a curiosity to learn more about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth's key physical and human processes.
IMPLEMENTATION
We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. Geographical concepts are woven through all units that we cover, which ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.
It is important that children develop the skills of a geographer by fully immersing them in all areas of the subject. The local area is fully utilised to achieve desired outcomes, with opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice. School trips and fieldwork are provided to give first hand experiences, which enhance children's understanding of the world beyond their locality.
Throughout their learning, children are encouraged to think critically and are given the opportunities to ask perceptive questions and explain and analyse evidence (for example drawing conclusions about their geographical fieldwork).
IMPACT
By the time children leave St Paul's they will:
- Have an excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like.
- Have an excellent understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected and how much human and physical environments are interrelated.
- Have an extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary.
- Be fluent in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills and use effective analytical and presentational techniques.
- Have the ability to reach clear conclusions and develop a reasoned argument to explain findings.
- Have significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity as shown in interpretations and representations of the subject matter.
- Be highly developed and frequently utilised fieldwork and other geographical skills and techniques.
- Have a passion for and commitment to the subject, and a real sense of curiosity to find out about the world and the people who live there.
- Have the ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current and contemporary issues in society and the environment.
