Geography

Be diverse            Be inquisitive        Be a global citizen

At St Mary’s, our ambitious curriculum is structured to introduce and revisit knowledge through a sequential and enriching journey that begins in EYFS and finishes in Year 6.

Children at  St Mary’s become Geographers by looking at the world through four Main Strands: Locational Knowledge, Place Knowledge, Human and Physical geography,and finally, Geographical Skills and Fieldwork. By looking at the world around us in these ways, children can build upon their understanding and make links to previous learning. To further engage and support learning, Geography draws from other areas of the curriculum such as: Computing, Maths, Art and Science. 

Intent

Our intent is to deliver a curriculum that aims to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them throughout St Mary’s and beyond. Our geography offing will 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. Our curriculum is a knowledge-engaged progress model which clearly outlines the key knowledge and vocabulary for each stage of learning in sequence.

 As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world will 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.

Our Geography curriculum has deliberately been adapted in order for pupils to see themselves within the curriculum; with field studies and visits encompassing locations in and around Malton. Through experiencing places familiar, we are able to contextualise our learning and prepare our children for life in modern Britain.

Implementation

At St Mary’s, Geography is taught across each year group in modules that enable pupils to study in depth key geographical understanding, skills and vocabulary. Each module aims to activate and build upon prior learning, from EYFS to Year 6, to ensure better cognition and retention. Each module is carefully sequenced to enable pupils to purposefully layer learning from previous sessions to facilitate the acquisition and retention of Key Strands (Locational Knowledge, Place Knowledge, Human and Physical geography,and finally, Geographical Skills and Fieldwork) and geographical knowledge. Each module is revisited as part of a spaced retrieval practice method to ensure pupils retain key knowledge and information. To further instil children’s understanding, the children are given the opportunity of ‘Thinking Geographically’ within each strand by exploring: Place, Scale,Environment and Culture.

Impact

The impact of our ambitious Geography approach:

• Children are equipped with geographical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the next key stage and for their future.
• Children can articulate their learning and have a deep knowledge of the world they live in and how they can make a positive impact as global changemakers.
• Children can access and follow our ambitious curriculum that shares our vision for exceptionally high expectations.
• A curriculum that gives our children understanding of space, place, environment, and culture throughout.

Enrichment

Through enrichment opportunities children gain  a sense of scale, place and environment, we continually adapt to offer our children: 

• The opportunity to carry out field studies- Geography surrounds us and we believe experiencing it has as much value as learning about it.
• A chance to explore what is on our doorstep- Malton is in an ideal setting and we aim to use this as much as possible.
• Provide the children time to learn and explore in our onsite forest school.
• The opportunity to bring Geography into school by liaising with museums and organisations.
• Promote sustainability through our Eco Warriors initiative and Garden Club