Geography

Intent 

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

By the end of the EYFS, children will be assessed against the Early Learning Goals (ELGs). For Understanding the World. These include:  

• Describing their immediate environment, explaining some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries. 
• Drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and (when appropriate) maps.  
• Understanding some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter. 

By the end of KS1 children will have: 

• An excellent interest in Geography and a drive to explore more about the world around them.  
• The ability to think critically using geographical knowledge and to confidently use geographical vocabulary
• The ability and confidence to apply their geographical knowledge and skills to everyday life and all other areas of the curriculum.  
• The ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings;  
• The desire to investigate places around the world as well as physical and human processes that interact to form our world and understand the effects of their actions on the environment.  

Implementation  

Teaching Methods:

• Geography teaching focuses on enabling children to think as geographers, to be curious about the world around them, and to develop a secure sense of place. We place an emphasis on practical enquiry and fieldwork, giving children opportunities to explore their immediate environment and beyond.

• We use a range of resources, including maps, atlases, globes, aerial photographs, and digital tools to support learning. Children are encouraged to use geographical vocabulary accurately when describing human and physical features.

• Stories, information texts, and visual media are used to bring places to life, helping children to understand different environments, climates, and cultures in engaging and age-appropriate ways.

• The geographical skills taught in EYFS feed into the National Curriculum. The most relevant statements for Geography are taken from the area of learning: Understanding the World. Each half-term topic provides children with opportunities to explore their environment, notice similarities and differences, and begin to use simple maps and positional language.

KS1 Topics:

The National Curriculum is mapped out across Key Stage 1 and taught through half-termly topics. Geography is not taught by every year group every half term.

Topics with a geographical focus include:

• Coleview: Exploring Where We Live – developing knowledge of the local area.
• UK Explorers – naming, locating, and describing the countries and capital cities of the UK.
• Seagulls and Seashells – investigating coastal environments and their features.
• The World – naming the seven continents and five oceans.
• Brilliant Brazil and the Rainforests – studying a contrasting non-European country.
• Weather Watchers – exploring seasonal and daily weather patterns in the UK and beyond.

Impact  

• Children will leave KS1 with a secure foundation of geographical vocabulary, knowledge and skills, ready to build upon in Key Stage 2 and to apply in life beyond school.
• They will be able to ask and answer geographical questions, use simple maps and symbols, and describe human and physical features with increasing accuracy.
• Geography learning will link meaningfully with other subjects such as History, Science and PSHE, helping children to make connections across the curriculum.
• Through progressive experiences from EYFS to Year 2, children develop curiosity, respect, and appreciation for their local area, recognising both its unique features and its place within the wider UK and the world.
• School trips, fieldwork and first-hand experiences will deepen understanding and engagement, giving children memorable opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world contexts.