Subject Intent & Implementation
The intent of Geography at Appleton Roebuck Primary School is for all children
to be exposed to a range of physical and human Geography case studies, starting
with a local focus and moving on to the wider United Kingdom, European and then
World studies.
This is implemented through the teaching of Geography within Learning Journeys
and through discrete Geography lessons where there is no natural link to the
Learning Journey. Teaching follows specific National Curriculum targets and is
sequenced to ensure progressive skills are learned in-line with the STARMAT
Subject Progression Framework.
The STARMAT Subject Progression Framework (SPF) ensures pupils gain a breadth
and depth of Geographical understanding across the primary years. All schools
follow the SPF allowing for collaboration across our schools.
It also ensures that teachers can make direct links to previous learning,
building on key knowledge and skills. Coverage of the National Curriculum is
ensured through the SPF.
Geography @ Appleton Roebuck
Geography starts in the Early Years where children are exposed to local
Geography studies in order to gain a solid understanding of their immediate
environment and begin to understand similarities and differences in the
environment.
This continues into KS1 where children learn about the United Kingdom and
compare with European regions and learn about the world’s continents and oceans.
In lower KS2 children will compare localities within the UK and Europe.
In upper KS2, they explore case studies focussed on the American continents,
using these to compare with the United Kingdom and Europe.
Throughout KS1 and KS2 physical and human features will remain central
to teaching.
Key Skills
Key skills have been identified in the Subject Progression Framework (SPF)
for each year group and phase which build sequentially on what has been
taught previously.
Links are also made directly to the KS3 curriculum, in readiness for high
school Geography.
The key skills of mapwork are developed in KS1 through the use of aerial
photographs and basic maps of our school grounds and locality.
Pupils then progress to four-figure and six-figure grid referencing later
in KS2.
Key skills to locate and understand geographical features in atlases are
also taught.
Directional skills are taught from KS1, leading to eight-point compass
direction in lower KS2 and moving on to their independent application
in upper KS2.
Key Knowledge
There is equal focus given to the development of knowledge in both physical
and human Geography with the Subject Progression Framework (SPF) for Geography.
Pupils develop the knowledge of where they are located in the world as well
as the location of UK cities and world continents, before acquiring the
knowledge of European and American cities and countries.
They explore the physical features of rivers, mountains and biomes.
Specific geographical terminology is taught and linked to the learning
intentions for each phase.
They know the key physical similarities and differences between regions
relating to climate and weather patterns for example.
Pupils know the key similarities and differences relating to culture and
land use, comparing the UK with other areas studied.
They develop an understanding of the impact of human activity on the world,
starting with the local community and moving on to the wider world.
Subject Impact
Thinking and writing as geographers
The impact of the Geography curriculum will be evident in the development of
well-rounded individuals at Appleton Roebuck Primary School.
Children know their place in the local and wider-world community, understanding
location, climate and factors that impact on how living things exist.
Children write as Geographers and are naturally inquisitive. They have an
ever-extending vocabulary, allowing them to apply their Geographical knowledge
to other areas of learning.