Over Hall Community SchoolGeography
Teaching Geography at Over Hall Community School
'Be supported, feel supported - make a difference'
Geography lead: Miss Stanley
Intent
At Over Hall we strive to:-
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Ignite interest and curiosity enabling children to gain knowledge & understanding of places in the world and of how places can change over time;
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Increase children’s knowledge of other cultures and, in so doing, teach a respect and understanding of what it means to be a positive citizen in a multi-cultural country;
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Provide high quality experiences that allow children to learn graphic skills, including how to use, draw and interpret maps;
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Empower children with the knowledge and understanding of environmental problems at a local, regional and global level;
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Ensure pupils experience a progressive curriculum that encourage equips them with geographical knowledge, vocabulary and skills important for success in their world today.
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Encourage children to commit to sustainable development and an appreciation of what ‘global citizenship’ means;
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Develop a variety of other skills, including those of enquiry, problem solving, ICT, investigation and how to present their conclusions in the most appropriate ways
Implementation
Geography is taught using the ‘Connected Geography’ scheme which is then personalised by the class teacher using the National Curriculum objectives.
The geography curriculum largely follows a thematic approach, linking with class themes. Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography, children learn about their local area and compare their life in this area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography, children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates children to find out about the physical world and enables them to recognize the importance of sustainable development for the future of mankind.
Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography, children learn about their local area and compare their life in this area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography, children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates children to find out about the physical world and enables them to recognize the importance of sustainable development for the future of mankind.
Leadership: staff receive training and support in order to have the knowledge, expertise and skills to successfully implement geography within their year group. Staff have access to support from the subject leader to support their teaching of new topics and skills. Visits and specialist visitors are hugely influential in the delivery of our geography curriculum.
Equal opportunities: All children given sufficient time to produce work effectively.
Planning: The long-term plan for geography is progressive in terms of both geographical knowledge and skills. The geographical knowledge built upon encompasses: locational knowledge, case study knowledge, human geography and physical geography. The geographical skills that are built upon are:-
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comparing locations,
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traditional and digital mapping skills,
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using directional language
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effective geographical enquiries.
Breadth and depth: Our geography curriculum teaches about a range of locations from local and extending to global. Our curriculum begins in Key Stage 1, where pupils investigate their local area and begin to learn about the United Kingdom with some reference to the wider world. In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their understanding of areas of the United Kingdom whilst extending their understanding to countries and continents further afield. By making our curriculum progressive, our children are better prepared to remember and build upon learning from previous topics, years and key stages.
Please refer to the geography progression of skills for a breakdown of knowledge and skills for individual year groups.
Links are made across the curriculum including British Values, inclusion and diversity within our country, sustainability, English, Science and PE. Additionally, opportunities to take learning beyond the classroom are sought wherever possible to allow pupils to apply their geographical skills in real-life settings. First-hand experiences have the ability to engage the whole child and make learning memorable and meaningful. At Over Hall we offer a range of experiences both in school and wider, in lessons, on educational trips and residentials.
Assessment: Subject Leaders monitor the progress of geography through work scrutiny of topic books, pupil voice, work displayed etc. Next steps for the subject then become evident.
Pupils are taught to understand and use correct geographical and topical vocabulary based on the objectives, skills and topics being taught.
Impact
Through our teaching and learning of geography, pupils have a positive view of the subject and are able to enthusiastically communicate their knowledge of people, places and skills. Our children should have should have learned an extensive list of geographical vocabulary, developed their locational knowledge, identified physical and human features associated within areas that they have studied and be able to apply their geographical skills to a range of geographical enquiries by the time they leave Over Hall.