Geography is the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere, and of human activity as it affects and is affected by these, including the distribution of populations and resources and political and economic activities. The study of geography helps pupils to develop knowledge of important places in the world, their defining geographical features, and processes. To understand the processes behind key human and physical geographical features, and how they connect and change over time.

At Skinners' Kent Primary School, we aspire to equip pupils with a critical understanding of the world that they live in, the impact of the human impact on the planet, and how society functions and interacts around the world. A strong knowledge of geography enables the pupils to develop an understanding of location, climate, the distribution of natural resources, including the way that we use those resources to enable us to live as we do. It enables pupils to question decisions about how we interact with each other and our environment, and to develop their sense of global citizenship. 

Intent 

Throughout their time at Skinners’ Kent Primary School, pupils learn to observe, describe, and seek explanations for why the world around us is as it is.  We aim to provide a high-quality geography education which inspires curiosity and fascination.  We recognise that geography is very much a part of our daily lives and is vital in understanding our connections with people and places, the goods that we consume, and the decisions we make about how to live our lives.   

Implementation 

Our geography has been created to cover the skills, knowledge and understanding set out in the National Curriculum throughout KS1 and KS2.  In the Early Years Foundation Stage, pupils begin their understanding of locational knowledge through the ‘Understanding the World’ area of learning.  We develop pupils’ understanding of themselves and where they live or places they have experience of, before building upon this understanding to include countries globally.  

Hamilton Trust has formed the basis of our curriculum to ensure progression and consistency throughout the school.  Staff adapt Hamilton Trust plans to ensure the learning is engaging and relevant to the pupils within their class, but use the planning to ensure curriculum coverage and progression.  In order to embed key locational knowledge to long-term memory, we aim to include recall practice of key locational facts regularly in lessons; we recognise the importance of revisiting this learning regularly and relating it to a context to embed this learning.  This is delivered through fun, interactive games and progresses throughout year groups, covering relevant learning objectives. 

Impact 

At SKPS, we believe that high-quality geography education should provide pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world, that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We aim for pupils to become fluent in their recall of key geographical and locational knowledge facts, which will underpin their future learning.  They will have an extensive base of geographical vocabulary and skills which will deepen their understanding of the world around them.   

To ensure impact and progression, subject leaders regularly review teaching and learning through book scans, lesson visits, pupil voice and regular discussions with the class teachers. We regularly meet and discuss best practise during training sessions, which ensure that the pedagogy and teaching is of high quality.