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>> GEOGRAPHY

“The study of Geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.”

Barack Obama

 

Intent

At Lordswood School, as part of our school ethos of Proud Traditions, Wide Horizons and High Achievement, the intent of the Geography curriculum is to give all children an awareness of and understanding of the environment around them and its people. They will explore both physical and human factors that impact our world. By studying our local area and comparing it to other areas of the country and the world, pupils are able to develop a sense of themselves within the world and understand what makes Medway unique and special. We aim to develop their use of geographical skills, encouraging them to apply them in written and active tasks, both in and outside of the classroom. Through the use of lessons incorporating a high level of challenge, links to their own experiences and metacognition, we aim to create curious learners who question deeply and self-reflect. Furthermore, with the use of our immersive curriculum, we have designed a curriculum that nurtures the interests of our children, as well as linking closely with other subjects, such as the English Power of Reading texts being studied in each year group.

Through high quality planning and teaching, we develop the following skills of geographers:

  • An excellent understanding of where places are and ways in which they are connected, through human and physical features.
  • An extensive range of geographical knowledge and vocabulary, which can be applied to their own real-life experiences.
  • Fluency in planning steps for geographical enquiry and an ability to ask questions about their own environment and how it compares to other areas in the world.
  • Field work skills, such as making observations and compass and map work and an ability to display these skills in a variety of ways.
  • An understanding of the ways their world is changing and the impact their own actions can have on their environment.
  • A genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live in it.
  • An understanding of and commitment to sustainable development and an appreciation for environmental problems at a local, regional and global level.

Implementation

In order for the children at Lordswood to gain a deeper understanding of topics and develop skills more effectively, we have adopted a number of strategies and tools:

  • An immersive curriculum for each subject area.
  • Planning that covers all aspects of the National Curriculum and the Early Years Statutory Framework and is carefully linked to other subject areas to create a more immersive experience for the pupils during each term.
  • Lessons (adapted for all learning needs) planned according to the key skills identified by the subject lead, which are embedded within progress both throughout each year and from year to year.
  • Our skills progression grids allow teachers to plan lessons, taking in to account prior knowledge and skills covered in previous years.
  • Metacognitive approaches are embedded into lessons to allow the children to organise their thinking and prior knowledge, as well as giving them opportunities to question more deeply and reflect on their own learning and how they will use it moving forward.
  • Teachers are encouraged to use our unique school grounds and local area as a means of developing field work skills and the children’s understanding of themselves in their environment.
  • Prep-For-Learning tasks are set for pupils to obtain key knowledge ahead of lessons, so that more practical, skills-based lessons can be planned.
  • Children’s achievement is celebrated through the use of our social media platforms, WOW work and a geography display board.

In order to ensure that our aims have been met, we scrutinise topics through:

  • Carrying out regular ‘Week in Learning’ tasks to ensure skills are being covered within lessons.
  • Pupil interviews, which give the children an opportunity to share what they’ve learned and explore their skills outside of their lessons.
  • Effective feedback, which extends, challenges and questions children’s thinking against the school’s Marking and Feedback policy.
  • Assessment using Target Tracker to ensure coverage of key knowledge and skills from the National Curriculum, which is monitored by the subject lead.

In addition to providing in depth and engaging lessons in and out of the classroom, the celebration of Earth Day allows teachers to bring to ‘light’ current and important world issues, relating to our environment, and gives the pupils a chance to explore possible solutions and create a small impact themselves on a local basis, by activities such as litter walks.

As a school, children are encouraged to adopt our ‘ Habits of Mind’ in order to be: independent, courageous, respectful, proud and to persevere with all tasks. Lessons provide opportunities for the children to refine these skills.

Impact

When children leave Lordswood School, they have a sound understanding of what Geography is and why it is such an important subject to study. They have a keen interest in the world around them and the impact that physical and human factors have on the environment and the links between locations.

Children have the skills to discover new things in their environment and the confidence and curiosity to explore. They are able to use a wide variety of geographical language and field work skills, including keen observation and recording skills, both in school and in the wider world.

Throughout the curriculum, children think critically and ask perceptive questions about their changing environment, the people in it and the impact of their actions. Children understand how they can live more sustainably and appreciate their environment on a local, regional and global level.

Proud Traditions | Wide Horizons | High Achievement

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