Geography

Geography overview

The geography projects are sequenced to provide a coherent subject scheme that develops children’s geographical knowledge, skills and subject disciplines. Geographical locations are not specified in the National Curriculum, so they have been chosen to provide a broad and diverse understanding of the world. Where there are opportunities for making meaningful connections with other projects, geography projects are sequenced accordingly. For example, children revisit the geography of settlements in the history project School Days after studying types of settlements in the geography project Bright Lights, Big City.

All geography projects are taught in the autumn and spring terms, with the opportunity to revisit less secure concepts in the summer term.

Key Stage 1 (Year 1/2):

In Key Stage 1, each autumn term begins with essential skills and knowledge projects (Our Wonderful World and Let’s Explore the World). Teaching these projects in Years 1 and 2 enables children to be introduced to, or revisit, critical geographical concepts, aspects, skills and knowledge. These projects prepare children for the study of more thematic geography projects in the following term. Children then study the project Bright Lights, Big City. This project introduces children to the geography of urban environments and the physical and human features of the United Kingdom. In contrast, later, children carry out a detailed study of coastal geography in the project Coastline. This project introduces children to the geography of coastal environments and provides them with the opportunity for in-depth coastal fieldwork.

Lower Key Stage 2 (Year 3/4):

In Lower Key Stage 2, children begin with essential skills and knowledge projects (One Planet, Our World in and Interconnected World). Teaching these projects in Years 3 and 4 enables children to further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and prepares them to study more thematic subsequent geography projects. Children study the project Rocks, Relics and Rumbles, which explores physical features and geographical phenomena, including earthquakes and volcanoes. Following this, the children carry out a detailed study of the physical features of mountains and rivers, which includes opportunities for in-depth fieldwork.

Upper Key Stage 2 (Year 5/6):

In Upper Key Stage 2, children again begin with essential skills and knowledge projects (Investigating Our World and Our Changing World). Teaching these projects in Upper Key Stage 2 enables children to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and prepares them to study more thematic geography projects. Children then study the seasonal project Sow, Grow and Farm, which explores farming, agriculture and rural land use. Children also study the polar regions in the project Frozen Kingdoms. The project includes an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of these regions, including environmental issues.