Geography

Intent:

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. Children investigate a range of places – both in Britain and abroad – to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Perranporth and Cornwall so that they can develop of real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special. We also developing the children’s ability to apply geographical skills to enable to confidently communicate their findings and geographical understanding to a range of audiences. Through high quality teaching, we develop the following essential characteristics of geographers: 

“Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What can be more important than that?”
  • An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in Britain and the wider world;
  • A comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected;
  • An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary;
  • Sound geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills, as well as effective presentation techniques;
  • 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.
Year 1 fieldwork in Perranporth

Implementation:

At Perranporth we use the Cornerstone Curriculum to plan a curriculum that is progressive and ensures that learning is fun, challenging and engaging.  As part of this planning process, teachers need to plan the following:

  • A knowledge organiser which outlines knowledge (including vocabulary) all children must master and apply in lessons;
  • A cycle of lessons, which carefully plans for progression and depth concentrating on the geographical skills suited to the year group
  • Trips and visiting experts who will enhance and embed the learning experience;
  • Appropriate curriculum themed home learning activities which children complete with adults
Year 4 local fieldwork

Progression within the curriculum is clear: it starts with what is familiar to children and extends outwards. Progression in fieldwork skills is built across units, with the units in Years 1 and Year 5 offering rich opportunities for mapping, technical drawing and exploring their environment in a concrete physical way. Other units offer scope for children to use digital resources, globes and atlases to explore regions. Key technical vocabulary is mapped onto each unit, allowing children to build a rich bank of geographical language.

Links are built with other subjects, predominantly but not exclusively with writing, history, art, music and science.

Year 3 geography

Impact:

Using the globe to locate different countries around the world.

Our Geography Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression.By the time they leave Perranporth School, children will have gained key knowledge and skills in the areas of the Geography curriculum

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

  • Each unit is supported by a Knowledge Organiser which details the key facts, vocabulary and skills for each unit. 
  • A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes;
  • A celebration of learning/ memorable experience for each term which demonstrates progression across the school;
  • Children’s discussions and interviewing the children about their learning (pupil voice).
  • Formative assessment at the end of each unit.
  • Governor monitoring with our subject governor.
  • Photo evidence and images of the children practical learning.
  • Learning walks and reflective staff feedback (teacher voice).
  • Children will have acquired skills in knowledge and retrieval to help them retain learning in Geography.

Geography long term plan:

For more information click here or email Mrs Laity rlaity@perranporth.tpacademytrust.org