Geography

Geography Purpose of Study and Intent

At Topcliffe our geography curriculum is designed to inspire and encourage a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with our pupils for many years to come. Our pupils learn about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, and develop their understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes and the role that they may play in the development of this. Along with factual knowledge and information, children will also develop skills in observation, investigation, problem solving and fieldwork which will be utilised in other areas of the curriculum and their lives as they grow and develop. 

We use Cornerstones Maestro as a basis for our Geography curriculum. 

The geography projects are well sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s geographical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines.

Geographical locations are not specified in the national curriculum, so they have been chosen to provide a broad and diverse understanding of the world. 

Where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections with other projects, geography projects are sequenced accordingly. For example, children revisit the geography of settlements in the history project School Days after studying types of settlements in the geography project Bright Lights, Big City.

All geography projects are taught in the Autumn and Spring terms, with opportunities for schools to revisit less secure concepts in the Summer term.

The subject overview for Geography can be seen below and WHMAT's curriculum progression document showing the development of knowledge and skills in Geography can be found by clicking here: WHMAT-Geography-Knowledge-and-Skills-progression.pdf

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, each Autumn Term begins with essential skills and knowledge projects (Our Wonderful World in Year 1 and Let’s Explore the World in Year 2). Teaching these projects in Years 1 and 2 enables children to be introduced to, or revisit, critical geographical concepts, aspects, skills and knowledge. These projects prepare children for the study of more thematic geography projects in the following term.

In the Spring Term of Year 1, children study the project Bright Lights, Big City. This project introduces children to the geography of urban environments and the physical and human features of the United Kingdom.

In contrast, in the Spring Term of Year 2, children carry out a detailed study of coastal geography in the project Coastline. This project introduces children to the geography of coastal environments and provides children with the opportunity for in-depth coastal fieldwork.

Lower Key Stage 2

In Lower Key Stage 2, children begin with essential skills and knowledge projects (One Planet, Our World in Year 3 and Interconnected World in Year 4). Teaching these projects in Years 3 and 4 enables children to further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and prepares them to study more thematic geography projects in the following term.

In the Spring Term of Year 3, children study the project Rocks, Relics and Rumbles, which explores physical features and geographical phenomena, including earthquakes and volcanoes.

In contrast, in the Spring Term of Year 4, children carry out a detailed study of the physical features of mountains and rivers, which includes opportunities for in-depth fieldwork.

Upper Key Stage 2

In Upper Key Stage 2, children again begin with essential skills and knowledge projects (Investigating Our World in Year 5 and Our Changing World in Year 6).

Teaching these projects in Years 5 and 6 enables children to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and prepares them to study more thematic geography projects in the following term.

In the Spring Term of Year 5, children study the seasonal project Sow, Grow and Farm, which explores farming, agriculture and rural land use.

In the Spring Term of Year 6, children study the polar regions in the project Frozen Kingdoms. The project includes an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of these regions, including environmental issues. Throughout the geography scheme, there is complete coverage of all national curriculum programmes of study.

Curriculum Maestro allows us to interrogate the sequencing of curriculum aspects and concepts, vocabulary and connectivity of the geography scheme with other curriculum subjects.