Five Elms Primary School

Intent

At Five Elms we believe that geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. Our geography curriculum enables children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas and which can and are used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops and understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. 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; to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. The curriculum is designed develop knowledge and skills that are progressive, as well as transferable, throughout their time at Five Elms Primary and also to their further education and beyond.

Implementation

Geography at Five Elms is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Children cover aspects of three strands: locational knowledge, physical and human geography. These strands are designed to build up as children progress through the Key Stages. The key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic have been identified and consideration Five Elms Primary School has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. 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. The local area is utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with opportunities for fieldwork and learning outside the classroom embedded in practice.

Impact

Outcomes in writing books evidence a broad and balanced geography curriculum and demonstrate children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Children review their successes in achieving the lesson objectives at the end of every session. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding an appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context. In addition, children are able to extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the United Kingdom. This includes the characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features.