Geography

What makes a good geography student at All Saints?

A pupil who has awareness of, and interest in, the cultural richness which surrounds them at All Saints and a fascination with the diverse wider world. A strong knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s key human and physical processes. A developing interest and inquisitiveness in maps and mapping skills. A skilful competence in the geographical skills required of a Geographer in fieldwork, able to analyse data and a range of information from geographical sources as well as being able to apply and communicate their findings in a geographical manner.

About geography

Our high-quality geography education inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our teaching equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.

As our children progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

Aims of geography

The national curriculum for geography aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes
  • Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time
  • Are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
    • collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
    • interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
    • communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

 

Why do we teach geography?

Geography is an essential part of every child’s education. It is much more than just a subject,

‘Geography is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places and environments. It is, quite simply, about the world in which we live’ (Royal Geographic Society).

 

Curriculum

Our geography curriculum is progressive to have the greatest impact on pupils learning. Teachers are not afraid to take risks to innovate and challenge to achieve progress in geography. Key threads through the curriculum are inter-cultural understanding, local fieldwork, environmental issues and dilemmas connected with sustainability, making links to the Global Goals. These are explored in a variety of places across the world from local to global. We use creative approaches to stimulate learning and place a high value on using real life issues to promote understanding, whilst continuing our golden thread of global learning.

Pupil voice

Theo (Y5) “It’s interesting and helps you when going on journeys.”

Mary (Y3) “It helps you understand the world.”

Jacob (Y4) “I enjoy learning about physical geography which God made and buildings which is human geography.”

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