Geography

I enjoyed finding out that the Alps exist!  I created a double paged spread of research and facts about them. 

Our Vision 

“Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?”  Michael Palin

Through the Geography curriculum at the Federation of Oxford Road Community School and Wilson Primary School we aim to encourage in our children to have a deep curiosity about the world and sense of ‘awe and wonder’ about the diversity of people, cultures, places and environments within it.  To be considerate and engaged global citizens, we believe children need to recognise connections and seek explanations about how the world works. Our curriculum aims to empower them with the knowledge and skills to better understand our complex and rapidly changing world and face the ever-growing challenges for our societies, both locally and globally.  

I am going to watch more programs like National Geographic so I can find out more.

Geography Curriculum 

Curriculum Intent

Our curriculum intent is to inspire children’s curiosity, interest and appreciation for the world that we live in. We aim to equip children with the geographical knowledge to develop their skills through studies of places, people and natural and human environments.

As geographers, pupils are exposed to a rich and balanced curriculum that provides them with essential component knowledge and new vocabulary. As pupils progress through the school, they will develop an insight into the links between physical and human processes and how landscapes and environments have changed and continue to change over time. Through topics such as: ‘Where does our food come from?’ and ‘Why do oceans matter?’, children will learn their role as global citizens and their place within the world.

Curriculum Implementation 

In order to meet the aims of the National curriculum for Geography, we have identified the following key strands:

• Locational knowledge
• Place knowledge
• Human and physical geography

• Geographical skills and fieldwork

Pupils follow a knowledge-based curriculum, supported by a clear progression of skills sequenced throughout each unit of work and across each year. They begin by learning about their locality; carefully exploring human and physical geographical features. Children then build upon their knowledge by comparing their life in this locality to other parts of the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. Fieldwork underpins all learning and is built into every unit of work; culminating in Year 6’s topic ‘Can I carry out an independent fieldwork enquiry?’ and residential trip.

The classroom environment is prioritised to enrich learning and assist children’s retention of knowledge through the use of maps, key vocabulary and visuals where possible. Explicit teaching of language and vocabulary is prioritised. Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to deliver highly effective teaching. The Kapow scheme supports teacher CPD and provides additional resources for this.

 Curriculum Impact 

Throughout each unit of Geography, staff model, monitor, address misconceptions and support both the development of skills and understanding. The impact of our Geography curriculum is measured in a variety of ways:  questioning during lesson time, listening to child-led discussion, pupil voice conversations, book looks, sharing good practise during staff meetings and staff feedback.

Our aim is for our children to be able to use the skills and knowledge gained from their rich geographical learning to enable them to become life-long learners who respect universal human values, are internationally and culturally minded and who have an acute awareness of themselves, their community and the ever-changing world around them.

'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 exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together' - Barack Obama

Map work is difficult but worth it!  You find out about lots of places!