Curriculum Statement – Geography – Chatsworth Primary School

Our Geography curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

We believe that Geography at Chatsworth will give the children the chance to be explorers, investigating a range of places – both in Britain and abroad – to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. The curriculum is designed to ensure that teaching equips 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. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it.   As pupils progress through the school, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.

Through high quality teaching, we develop the following essential characteristics of geographers:

- An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in Britain and the wider world;

- An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary;

- Fluency in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills, as well as effective presentation techniques;

-The ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings;

- Excellent fieldwork skills as well as other geographical aptitudes and techniques;

- The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and

understanding about current issues in society and the environment;

- A genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here.

In ensuring high standards of teaching and learning in Geography, we implement a curriculum that shows progression throughout the whole school. Geography at Chatsworth is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and theses are mapped across the school, ensuring that knowledge builds progressively and that children develop skills systematically.

As part of this planning process, teachers need to plan the following:

- A cycle of lessons for each subject, which carefully plans for progression and depth

concentrating on the geographical skills suited to the age group;

·  An organiser which outlines knowledge (including vocabulary) all children must learn

·     A ladder of lessons for each unit, which carefully plans for progression and depth

- The opportunity to practise geographical fieldwork skills

·     Low stakes assessment tasks which are used to support learners’ ability to block learning and increase space in the working memory

·     Challenging questions for pupils to apply their learning in a philosophical/open manner

·     Trips and visiting experts who will enhance the learning experience through hands-on experiential activities

Our Geography Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

- A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes;

- Pupil discussions about their learning;