Our Geography provision follows the KAPOW Primary single-age planning sequence for each year group, while Reception follows the EYFS curriculum. Further opportunities to develop geographical knowledge and skills are planned throughout the year, linked to significant dates and events within the academic calendar.
Intent
Curriculum Aims
At Stondon Lower School, we have chosen to use the Kapow Primary Geography scheme as the foundation for our Geography curriculum. Our carefully sequenced programme supports our vision of inspiring pupils to become curious and explorative thinkers with a broad and diverse knowledge of the world around them. Through engaging lessons, pupils develop the skills to think like geographers by questioning, observing, collecting and analysing data, and communicating their findings effectively.
Our Geography curriculum enables children to understand how places, people and environments are interconnected at local, national and global scales. We aim to develop informed and responsible citizens who appreciate the impact of geographical processes on their lives and the wider world.
The progressive nature of the our scheme supports the development of both geographical knowledge and disciplinary skills, ensuring that learning is accessible, ambitious and engaging for all pupils. Through this approach, we strive to foster a lifelong curiosity about the world and enable every child to achieve their full potential as a young geographer.
National Curriculum
The geography scheme of work fulfils the statutory requirements outlined in the National Curriculum (2014) and is based on the Kapow Primary Geography scheme.
The curriculum has been designed to develop pupils’ curiosity about the world and their understanding of the relationships between people, places and environments.
Drawing on current geographical education research and best practice in curriculum design, the scheme provides a clear progression of knowledge and skills from Early Years through to Key Stage 2. Learning is carefully sequenced to help pupils build and connect their understanding of locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography, and geographical skills and fieldwork.
The curriculum includes:
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Clear progression of geographical knowledge and disciplinary skills.
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Carefully sequenced learning that builds on prior knowledge.
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Opportunities to investigate a diverse range of places, environments and cultures.
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Meaningful fieldwork experiences and map-reading skills.
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Development of geographical enquiry, analysis and critical thinking.
This enables pupils to develop secure, connected geographical knowledge and an understanding of how physical and human processes shape the world. Through exploring local, national and global contexts, pupils learn to interpret information, analyse geographical patterns and understand the interconnected nature of people, places and environments.
Purpose of study
Our Geography curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity and a lasting fascination with the world and its people. Through carefully sequenced units, pupils explore a wide range of places, cultures, resources and environments.
The curriculum supports pupils in developing a deep understanding of physical and human geography and their dynamic interactions.
As pupils progress, they build increasingly sophisticated knowledge and skills that help them explain how landscapes are shaped, how environments change over time and how geographical processes are interconnected across local, national and global scales.
All lessons are mapped to the National curriculum attainment targets.
EYFS (Reception)
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, geography helps children develop curiosity about the world around them. Through exploring their local environment and learning about different places, children begin to understand similarities, differences and their place within the wider world.
Continuity of learning from EYFS to KS1
Our Geography scheme aligns with the statutory EYFS guidance.
Key themes and skills introduced in EYFS are revisited and developed further in Key stage 1, ensuring continuity and progression.
This transition is aided by the continuity of learning created by the curriculum strands, which run from EYFS to Year 6.
Subject leaders can pinpoint how knowledge develops in Reception and how this creates the foundation for learning in Key stage 1.
Progression
The units of work and lesson within each unit planning adopts a spiral curriculum model; this is where key knowledge and skills are revisited and built on at a level appropriate to children’s development.
A spiral curriculum enables us to introduce complex topics to young children in a way that is both accessible and engaging. This method builds a strong pedagogical foundation, which can be developed further as children progress through primary school.
The progression of skills can be found in our curriculum progression document: Geography
Inclusion and diversity
Our Geography scheme has been designed to represent a range of cultures and races.
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Where appropriate, colonial choices and their impact on geographical issues are explored.
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The scheme’s visual representation is inclusive and representative of a variety of people and places, challenging stereotypes or historical ideologies.
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Within sensitive units, questions have been included to support children’s lived experiences and backgrounds.
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Resources and case studies are carefully considered to encourage the children to think about their role in society and to respect the many ways in which people’s lives have been influenced.
The scheme supports children in appreciating the complexity of people’s lives, the diversity of societies and the relationships between different groups.
