Primary Geography

Learning is defined in the Ofsted handbook as ‘An alteration in long-term memory.’  In order to achieve this, the curriculum needs to be in an order so that new knowledge and skills build on what has been taught before, meaning pupils can connect new knowledge with existing knowledge and work towards clearly defined end points.

Geography in the School Curriculum

Being an all-through school has enabled us to create a bespoke programme that builds on skills and knowledge across the whole school.

1. We enhance the curriculum by utilising the skills of our Secondary colleagues to deepen subject knowledge of both staff and students.
2. Units with key objectives have been planned by the Primary staff in order to ensure there is continuity and progression from Reception to Year 6 and into KS3.
3. The command words: Describe, Explain and Compare are used when planning activities, to enable children, when they are developmentally ready, to show their geographical understanding; this leads directly into the KS3 requirements from Year 7. 
4. At Gildredge House, we recognise that experiences and enrichment opportunities help to bring the subject of Geography alive.  There will therefore be opportunities to:
5. Handle artefacts with care
6. Welcoming visitors
7. Use imaginative play or drama to express feelings and ideas
8. Respond to images, games, stories, art, music and dance
9. Make use of videos and the internet.
10. Field work:  It is encouraged that teachers plan opportunities to use the school grounds and local environment to conduct geographical fieldwork. When sessions lead to leaving the school grounds staff must implement a robust Risk Assessment.

Primary Intent for Geography

1. To equip children with the necessary skills to investigate a range of places in order to develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes and environments. This will include opportunities to explore our local environment.

2. To build a geographical curriculum that endorses the importance for outdoor learning, to build a curiosity for learning to help them to know more, remember more and understand more.

Implementation of Geography at Gildredge House

Year Group	Topic
Foundation Stage	Geography will make an active contribution to all of the seven areas of learning.
1	Where in the World do animals live?
2	Where does our food come from? How is Australia similar/different to the UK?
3	What causes an earthquake? How is Africa similar/different to the UK and other places we have studied?
4	How is water recycled? What is life like in Mexico compare to the UK and other places we have studied?
5	What are the similarities and differences between India and the UK and other countries we have studied? How does longshore drift and coastal erosion affect our coastline?
6	Can we locate countries, oceans, counties and cities on a map? Can we describe and understand key aspects of climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts?

For more information on implementation and impact, read our Geography Statement [PDF]