Geography

Intent

At Gillibrand we aim to develop a fun, practical and engaging high-quality geography curriculum to make children aware of the world around them, not only their local community of Chorley, but communities world-wide. We do this through fully adhering to the aims of the national curriculum and fostering a healthy curiosity and interest in geography. At the heart of our geography curriculum is enquiry and investigation, which helps children to understand the world where we live. Wherever possible we intend to deliver lessons where children learn through varied experiences, leading to them having the knowledge and understanding of the world around them. We believe geography encompasses the acquisition of knowledge and breeds a positive attitude to learning and also the environment around us, teaching perseverance, and empowering our children to be confident and have a sense of belonging. Throughout the curriculum, the children will acquire and develop the key knowledge that has been identified within each topic and across each year group. We ensure that all geography skills are built on and developed throughout children’s time at the school so that they can apply their knowledge of geography when using maps, conducting fieldwork, communicating about different geographical features and most importantly, to continue to ask questions and be curious about the world in which they live.

Implementation

The learning of key geographical knowledge is an integral part of our geography lessons. Topic displays are used to provide useful and powerful vocabulary and share knowledge learnt within each unit. The progression of skills for geography are developed through the year groups and children’s knowledge is encouraged to build on previous skills taught within lessons. At Gillibrand, teachers create a positive attitude to geography learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all children are capable of achieving high standards in geography.

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of geography involves the following;

• Geography is taught in planned topic blocks decided by teachers within their Key Stage. Planning and teaching ensures that all children, of all abilities, are tailored for in each lesson and that clear progression can be seen within year groups.

• Where possible we teach geography across the curriculum to embed learning and prompt children to identify links across all subjects.

• We plan for opportunities and experiences that enable children to find out for themselves. Children are encouraged to discover and learn for themselves whilst learning geographical vocabulary.

• Planning involves teachers creating practical, engaging lessons with opportunities for precise questioning in class to test knowledge and skills and assess children regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning.
• Our curriculum is progressive. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years and teachers ensure that any gaps are covered.
•  All skills are planned for and embedded into lessons to ensure they are being developed throughout the children’s school career, and new vocabulary and challenging concepts are introduced through Quality First Teaching.
• Teachers demonstrate how to use geographical equipment such as atlas’, maps and compasses.
• We inspire children to appreciate and to explore the world they live in.

To ensure complete coverage of the National Curriculum, Geography is taught on a 2 year rolling program in Key Stage 1 and a 4 year rolling program in Key Stage 2.

Impact

The successful approach to the teaching of geography at Gillibrand results in a fun, engaging, high quality geographical education, that ensures progress, retention of knowledge and provides children with the foundations for understanding the world that they can take with them once they complete their primary education. We provide memorable experiences that encourage children to be curious thinkers and intelligent questioners. Children take pride in their geography work and are able to discuss their learning confidently. 

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