Geography

Intent Statement

By the time our pupils leave Year 6, they will be curious and knowledgeable geographers with a secure understanding of the world, its people and environments. They will demonstrate knowledge of human and physical geography, including climate zones, biomes, rivers, mountains, settlements, land use and trade, and understand how these are interconnected. Pupils will use geographical skills such as map reading, atlases, globes, digital mapping and fieldwork to collect, analyse and present data.

Through studying a range of places from local to global, pupils will develop locational knowledge, understanding features such as latitude, longitude and time zones, and make comparisons between regions. By the end of Year 6, our pupils will see themselves as geographers—equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand and care for the world around them.

Policy

The policy for this subject can be found on our main policy section of the website.

National Curriculum

National Curriculum_2014_Final

Useful Websites

Content coming.

Subject Progression Document

How can I help my child in this subject?

Geography helps children understand the world around them, different places and people, and how environments change over time. Children learn about their local area, the United Kingdom and the wider world, as well as physical features such as rivers and mountains, and human features such as cities and transport. Geography also helps children understand how they can care for the environment.

Families can support geography learning by encouraging children to notice, explore and ask questions about the places they live and visit.

Helping children in the Infants (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2)

At this stage, children learn about their local area, simple maps and differences between places.

You can help your child by:

  • Talking about your local area, including roads, parks, shops and important buildings.

  • Going on walks together and noticing features in the environment, such as rivers, hills, fields and buildings.

  • Helping your child learn their address and where they live.

  • Looking at simple maps, picture maps or atlases together.

  • Talking about different types of weather and how it changes through the year.

  • Discussing how places near and far can be similar or different.

  • Encouraging your child to use words such as:

    • near and far

    • left and right

    • town and countryside

  • Talking about how to care for the environment, such as putting litter in bins and respecting nature.

At this stage, children benefit from exploring their surroundings and talking about the world they see every day.

Helping children in the Lower Juniors (Year 3 and Year 4)

At this stage, children begin learning about regions of the UK, continents and oceans, rivers, mountains and settlements. They also develop mapping skills.

You can help your child by:

  • Looking at maps and atlases together to find countries, continents and oceans.

  • Talking about the different parts of the UK and where they are located.

  • Encouraging your child to notice physical features (such as rivers, hills and coasts) and human features (such as roads, bridges and buildings).

  • Discussing how weather and climate affect how people live.

  • Visiting new places and talking about what is similar and different from home.

  • Supporting your child to practise using directions such as north, south, east and west.

  • Encouraging them to think about how people use and care for the environment.

At this stage, children are beginning to develop their understanding of how places are connected.

Helping children in the Upper Juniors (Year 5 and Year 6)

At this stage, children learn more about world geography, climate zones, trade, natural resources and environmental issues. They also develop stronger mapping and fieldwork skills.

You can help your child by:

  • Looking at maps, globes and atlases together to explore countries and regions of the world.

  • Talking about climate zones and environments such as deserts, rainforests and mountains.

  • Discussing how people live differently in different parts of the world.

  • Encouraging conversations about environmental challenges, such as pollution, conservation and protecting natural resources.

  • Supporting your child to understand how rivers, mountains and volcanoes shape the landscape.

  • Talking about how geography affects travel, trade and daily life.

  • Encouraging your child to use grid references, symbols and keys when reading maps where appropriate.

At this stage, children begin to understand how physical and human geography are connected and how people can influence the environment.

Supporting your child to enjoy Geography at any age

You can support geography learning by:

  • going on walks and exploring your local area

  • visiting new places together

  • using maps when travelling

  • talking about weather and seasons

  • watching nature and travel programmes together

  • encouraging care for the environment

The most important thing you can do is help your child stay curious about the world and the people who live in it.