Geography
‘‘You can travel the seas, poles and deserts and see nothing. To really understand the world, you need to get under the skin of the people and places. In other words, learn about geography. I can’t imagine a subject more relevant in schools. We’d all be lost without it’’ – Michael Palin
Purpose of study
A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Teaching should equip 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 pupils 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 framework and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.
DfE Statutory guidance – National curriculum in England: geography programmes of study. Published 11 September 2013
Holland Park Curriculum Intent Statement for Geography
At Holland Park Geography is a subject that inspires in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world. The curriculum is divided into four main parts: locational knowledge, human geography, physical geography and geographical skills and fieldwork. We aim for our pupils to be fluent in applying their knowledge and skills. Our pupils are familiar with their local environment and how it has similarities and differences to other places in the world. Pupils are kept up to date with the challenges of our ever-changing world in relation to a variety of human and physical environmental processes and the impact this can have. Children at Holland Park are encouraged to be kind to our environment and practise being environmentally friendly.
Holland Park Curriculum Principles for Geography
What Geography looks like at HP
- Geography is a driver subject and therefore the learning in one term in KS2 and two half terms in KS1 and EYFS is themed around a Geography topic.
- Geography can be taught as stand-alone lessons outside of the driver term(s).
- Each year builds on the learning from the previous year to allow for progression.
- A variation of locational knowledge, physical features and processes, human features and fieldwork will be taught in relation to a range of places around the world.
How we are going to achieve everything that is set out in the curriculum
- Every year group will have a Geography focused topic focussing on the four key skills.
- Locational knowledge from the previous year group’s curriculum will be taught every year to ensure secure retrieval.
- Topics will start with a ‘zoom in/zoom out’ approach so that children have an understanding to base future learning on; this may also include making links to previous learning.
- Use a range of media, resources and real life experiences to give children a rich experience of the driver focus.
- Availability to explore real life geographical changes or events in the world as they happen both globally and locally.
- Encourage children to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle by setting an example in school through recycling and reducing the use of energy when possible.
Non-negotiables/expectations for staff and pupils
- A map displayed in every classroom that shows a zoom in/zoom out of the world which will include: a map of the world, Europe, the UK, Essex and Clacton.
- A globe in every classroom.
- A recycling bin and poster explaining items that can and can’t be recycled in every classroom.
Cultural capital and power of knowledge in Geography
- Where possible, provide children with real life experiences linked to their learning.
- Use a range of media to provide insights into places, particularly those that are contrasting.