Geography
“The study of geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exist across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.”
Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President
Intent:
Geography at Bedfont Primary inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet. As Geographers, we will begin to understand the world around us, helping to answer and challenge the big questions about our planet. We will get out of the classroom and explore the local area, learning through first hand experiences. Our curriculum aims to stimulate interests and a sense of wonder in our pupils, supporting them making sense of the complex world around them. Through a carefully planned curriculum this learning will be applied and extended as they progress through the school. With climate change such an important part of modern day, we believe it is important that children at our school have the opportunity to understand how precious our planet is and what they can do to begin to make a change.
Implementation:
Geography at Bedfont is taught in alternate half-terms throughout the school year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning and are exposed to geography on a regular basis. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each topic and consideration 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 children will be supported and challenged within each lesson and across the unit of work.
Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for, with strong links between geography and literacy lessons identified, planned for and utilised. The local area is fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice.