Intent

At Bramford Primary School, we are Geographers! We want our children to love geography! Geography is by nature, an investigative subject, which develops an understanding of concepts, knowledge and skill. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We aim to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources, and natural and human environments. We want them to have no limits to their ambitions. We intend for children to become passionate and knowledgeable about our local community and beyond, by learning through experiences in practical and fieldwork activities. We value outdoor learning as a means of immersing the children in ‘real life’ contexts so that they may discover as well as problem-solve. As geographers, pupils are exposed to a rich and balanced curriculum and our goal is not for children to simply recall places, geographical terminology and concepts, but to be critical and ask questions about the material they encounter. 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. Our geography curriculum has been developed to work alongside our Creative Curriculum topics. We intend for our children to become mindful of their environment and the world. Lessons incorporate a high level of challenge through the facilitation of learning experiences and opportunities are given to make links between other subjects, such as the STEM and the Arts field, to create curious, critical and self-reflective learners. We intend to increase our children’s cultural capital with a vast range of rich experiences, utilizing resources and expertise across the Griffin community.

Implementation

At Bramford, Geography is taught throughout the year as an integral part of our Creative Curriculum topics, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Creative Curriculum is taught regularly across the week and Geography is explicitly monitored by the Humanities Hub and Geography subject lead to promote continuous improvement by reviewing, evaluating sharing best practice as well as undertaking continuous professional development (CPD) to stay at the forefront of developments within the subject. Teachers are supported by the geography lead with the planning and delivery of an engaging curriculum. Pupil voice and a collaborative approach are the driving forces to learning walks, book evaluations and discussions around teaching and learning, which take place frequently throughout the academic year.

• Our Geography curriculum is designed so that children’s learning focuses on both ‘themselves’ and their school or local area as well as areas or regions of the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. We have developed a progression of skills with each year group, which enables pupils to build on and develop their knowledge and skills each year. Cross-curricular links are planned for, with other subjects such as Maths, Writing and Computing being incorporated within Creative Curriculum lessons.
• Children are given a knowledge organiser at the start of each unit which details some key information, key questions and vocabulary. This is not used as part of an assessment, but to support children with their acquisition of knowledge and are used as a reference document. These are also sent home with the children.
• At the start of each unit children will review previous learning and will have the opportunity to share what they already know about a current topic. In order to support children in their ability to know more and remember more, there are regular opportunities to review the learning that has taken place in previous units as well as previous lessons.
• Our aim is to include Location knowledge, fieldwork and map work throughout the geography topics. Effective use of educational visits, local fieldwork and visitors are planned, to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experiences within the geography curriculum. In-depth fieldwork opportunities are greatly amplified throughout bespoke local area units where children go out into the field to conduct observations, surveys, investigations and field sketches. The use of maps and compasses enhances this experience.
• To support teaching, staff access a range of resources and planning. Effective CPD and standardisation opportunities are available to staff to ensure high levels of confidence and knowledge are maintained. These are done through regular discussions with the geography lead, whole-school moderation, staff meetings and phase meetings.
• In geography lessons, children are given clear success criteria in order to achieve the Learning Intention with different elements of independence. Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning intention, with misconceptions addressed within it. Through using a range of assessment tools, differentiation is facilitated by teachers, to ensure that each pupil can access the geography curriculum.
• Teachers use highly effective assessments for learning at different points in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted and addressed. Pupils are regularly given the opportunity for Self or Peer Assessment, which will then be used to inform planning, preparation, differentiation and address misconceptions within that lesson, or for the next lesson.

EYFS:
The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of geography, people and communities through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World’. Geography is effectively taught through their wider curriculum lessons and through their enhanced learning provision and environment. Children learn about features of their own environment such as school, home, community and their local area through first-hand experiences and learn how environments may differ through the sharing of books, stories, poems, small world play, role play and visits. Children enjoy the valuable experiences gained from our regular trips to places within their local community such as the library, and the park. Children are given time to discuss, comment and ask questions about what they observe about the world around them and are encouraged to be active learners and explore their interests further.

Impact

The impact of this curriculum design will lead to outstanding progress over time across key stages relative to a child’s individual starting point and their progression of skills. Therefore, it will be expected that students leave Bramford reaching at least age-related expectations for Geography. Our Geography curriculum will also lead pupils to be enthusiastic Geography learners, evidenced in a range of ways, including pupil voice and their work. Upon leaving Bramford Primary School to embark on their path to Key Stage 3 learning, children will be equipped with the skills, knowledge and understanding to confidently continue their geography learning journey.