GEOGRAPHY AT GOLDSTONE
Intent
At Goldstone we want all of our children to develop a love of geography and have a deep understanding of the geographical concepts that they learn.
We want our pupils to have a thorough knowledge of their local environment and show curiosity about the wider world; enabling them to become global citizens who show a keen interest of the geography around them. We want them to have ambitions of travelling to unknown destinations and inspire them to take an active role in preserving the future of our planet. Geography plays a vital part in the sustainability of the world’s natural resources as well as the modern political arena, so it is essential that our pupils have a deep understanding of this.
The aims of the National Curriculum are to:
- Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes.
- Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time.
Here at Goldstone we also aim to ensure that all pupils are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
- Collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes.
- Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps (both digital and paper of varying scales), diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
- Communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.
Implementation
Each class enjoys regular geography lessons which are presented predominantly through termly, sometimes shorter, topics. A cross-curricular approach ensures that pupils are immersed within a theme and provides them with the opportunity to develop their geographical knowledge through a wide range of practical and exciting lessons. Geography learning begins in the Foundation Stage where pupils are taught about their personal geography, starting as simple as a walk to the post box in nursery. They develop observational skills and join in with discussions about their immediate environment as well as build valuable life skills by exploring their local location. Staff also take into consideration pupils interests and provide opportunities for them to extend their knowledge about the wider world.
In Key Stage 1 and 2, pupils continue to learn about their own locality and begin to make comparisons with other locations. There are opportunities for pupils to develop their geography skills through map work and fieldwork. This provides pupils the chance to develop their observation and measuring skills as well as recording data and communicating their findings. These skills are taught progressively throughout the school and build upon pupil’s prior knowledge.
Our developing geography displays allow children to explore and identify the wider world and aim to foster an interest in geographical location discussion between pupils. Furthermore our ‘Geography News’ display is aimed to instil an awareness of geography as an important current discussion and show how geographical events around the world impact us all which supports our aim to become a more sustainable school as well as deepen our pupils roles as global citizens.
Impact
The Curriculum at Goldstone will mean that pupils have a real sense of their environment and the wider world. This allows them to build vital age related knowledge as well as provide them with the skills to make their own deductions and form their own ideas about the world. Through fieldwork, pupils will have the opportunity for a hands-on approach which allows them to apply skills they have practiced within the classroom.
At Goldstone we want all pupils to achieve their full potential in geography and have a clear understanding of the importance of sustainability for the future of our planet, and the impact they have on the planet, both locally and internationally.
