Geography
Excalibur Academies Trust’s Curriculum Intent
Our pupils will develop a curiosity and respect for the natural world and a strong sense of life-long global citizenship. Our pupils will develop a strong understanding of location, place, culture and sustainability which we will secure through the teaching of high-level geographic skills and field skills, developed as a continuum of learning, as pupils move through school, from nursery to the time they leave sixth form.
‘The study of geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exist across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together’. Barack Obama
Our Intent
Why do we teach this? Why do we teach it the way we do?
‘Geography helps pupils understand their world, their role in it and their responsibilities that come with it.’ Geography Really Matters, Primary Education, Volume 45, Issue 2, 22, Gene Miller
At May Park Primary School, children are encouraged to be geographers using an enquiry-led, local learning approach to the National Curriculum. This approach supports learners to be curious about the world and people within it whilst also developing the knowledge and skills needed to understand global citizenship. Through independent investigation, children develop a respect for diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments. Furthermore, the geography curriculum at May Park supports an understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes and helps children understand their place in the world.
When studying Geography, May Park pupils:
- Celebrate the achievement of making good progress in our geographical understanding
- Learn to show respect for other cultures and the world around us through the study of location, place, environmental, human and physical geography
- Explore equality issues through the study of cultural awareness and diversity
- Show curiosity about the world around us and the impact of physical and human processes
- Are creative in exploring and presenting their learning
- Show resilience in disciplinary skills using field work to explore geographical concepts
Implementation
Geographical substantive and disciplinary knowledge is taught through an enquiry approach. Each enquiry will have a main subject focus as well as complimentary, subsidiary foci. These are mapped out through the long term curriculum plans ensuring coverage of the National Curriculum.
Key concepts have been identified within Geography and these are built on year by year as the pupils progress through the curriculum.
- Place
- Space
- Scale
- Interdependence
- Physical and human processes
- Environmental impact
- Sustainable development
- Cultural awareness
- Cultural diversity
In every geographical enquiry, children develop their geographical skills and field work. Children take on the role of geographer as the state of being which is central to our enquiry curriculum approach.
Impact
Teachers assess consistently to inform their teaching and planning. Each enquiry builds towards a project which is shared with others. This demonstrates what pupils have learnt through the enquiry.
