Geography
Our Geography curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world that we live in. Children investigate the seven continents and five oceans to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Nantwich so that they can develop of real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special.
We aim to develop the children’s ability to apply geographical skills in order for them to confidently communicate their findings and geographical understanding to a range of audiences.
Intent
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 the United Kingdom and the wider world.
- 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.
- Excellent fieldwork skills as well as other geographical aptitudes and techniques which include the ability to read maps, atlases and globes.
- The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current issues in society and the environment.
- A genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here.
Implementation
In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in geography, we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school.
- Geography is taught in at least 2 of the 3 school terms and can link to individual class topics.
- Each class focuses on knowledge and skills stated in Focus Education which link to the National Curriculum.
- At Pear Tree, we ensure that geography has a huge importance given to it through assemblies, workshops and curriculum focus weeks, as we feel this is important in enabling all children to gain ‘real-life’ experiences.
- Local area maps are provided through Edina Digimap for schools with each class having access to this.
- As a school, we have OS Maps of the local area which allow children to compare the similarities and differences in landscapes and communities locally.
- Classes are encouraged to use maps, atlases and globes as resources as regularly as possible to provide real-life skills.
Impact
- Children will leave Pear Tree secure in key geographical skills such as map reading, enquiry based investigations and locational knowledge.
- Children will respect the world we live in and understand the need to protect it.
- We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about geography, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.
- Pupils confidently talk about geography and positively discuss their learning experiences in the subject.
- Children from Pear Tree recognise the importance of their local area and appreciate the benefits to leaving in Nantwich.