Geography Curriculum

"Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future." (Michael Palin)

Purpose

We recognise the importance of a high-quality geography education, from Early Years to Key Stage 2, that inspires in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. As our children progress through this immersive topical subject, they are equipped with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As children progress, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

By the time our children leave us at the end of Key Stage 2, the Chalklands Geography Curriculum ensures they:

● develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes

● understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time

● are competent in the geographical skills needed to: ○ collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes ○ interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) ○ communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length

● learn, think, read, write and speak like geographers drawing upon the key concepts: boundaries, cartography, change, climate, interdependence, movement, physical geography, resources, and settlements.

● are empowered to become confident, respectful, proactive, global citizens who consider the future of the world

● understand the key features of the world and their place within it.