Geography

Our Vision: Explore place, space and relationships with the world around us.

Intent

At Sandcross, we believe in enhancing children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Using and evolving their geographical skills, the children will have opportunities to challenge themselves, investigate and make enquiries gaining valuable life skills and lifelong memories. Through investigating a range of places both in Great Britain and abroad, the children will broaden their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes as well as how they change over time. In turn, they will develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area special. Alongside this, we will develop the children’s ability to apply geographical skills to confidently communicate their findings and deepen geographical understanding.

Our Geography curriculum is designed to challenge, develop and nurture the “Whole Child‟ with a mission of “Inspiring Lifelong Success‟. 

Through high quality teaching, we develop the following essential characteristics of geographers:  

• An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in Great Britain and the wider world;
• A comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected;
• An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary;
• Fluency in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills, as well as effective presentation techniques; 
• The ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings;
• High-quality fieldwork skills as well as other geographical skills and techniques;
• The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current issues in society and the environment;
• An authentic interest in the subject and curiosity about the wider world and its population. 

Implementation - So, how are we going to deliver this? 

In order to foster children’s curiosity and interest about the world, as a school we are enthusiastic about Geography and encourage children to utilise and develop their exploratory skills and ask questions. At Sandcross, Geography is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning.  Each class has a long-term plan with two to three Geography topics, which are to be covered over the course of the year, alternating with History. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. Each topic is built around one of our six key principles at the very heart to drive the learning forward so the children can develop a deeper knowledge about the world around them and what their responsibility is within it - diversity, oneness, adaptation, health, cycle and interdependence.  At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs the programme of study and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Cross curricular outcomes in Geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between Geography, History and English lessons identified, planned for and utilised. Teachers are actively encouraged to fully utilise the large school grounds and local area to achieve the desired outcomes, with extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice.

Impact - What difference is this curriculum making to our children? 

The children at Sandcross Primary enjoy learning through a broad and balanced curriculum that is not only taught within specified Geography lessons, but threaded through other subjects too. Evidence in both Topic and English books, demonstrate children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge and exploratory skills gained. The children have grown their inquisitive minds to explore and understand different physical and human characteristics. After harvesting their initial knowledge, the children reflect, review and record what they have learnt comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context as well as a variety of locations around the world. Regular school trips provide further relevant and contextual learning.