GEOGRAPHY

Our Geography curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Children investigate a range of places - both in Britain and abroad ‘- to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the earth’s physical and human processes. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Bishops Itchington and Warwickshire so that they can develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special. We are also developing the children ability to apply geographical skills to enable them to confidently communicate their findings and geographical understanding to a range of audiences. Lessons will encourage discussion and consider the needs all children including children with Special Educational Needs and those who are disadvantaged.

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

• An excellent knowledge of places such as location, characteristics and culture, both in Britain and the wider world;
• A comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected;
• An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary;
• Fluency in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills, as well as effective presentation techniques;
• The ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings;
• Excellent fieldwork skills as well as other geographical aptitudes and techniques;
• The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current issues in society and the environment;
• A genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here.

IMPLEMENTATION

As part of this planning process, teachers need to plan the following: 

• A list of key vocabulary in each unit.
• A cycle of lessons for each subject, which carefully plans for progression and depth concentrating on the geographical skills suited to the age group;
• Use questioning for pupils to apply their learning in a philosophical/open manner; In Key Stage Two we extend this further through opportunities to debate key issues and current affairs.
• Trips and visiting experts who will enhance the learning experience;

Our Geography Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are engaged with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. In addition, we measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods: 

• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes;
• A celebration of learning displayed throughout our learning environments.  
• Pupil discussions about their learning;
• Encouraging children to evaluate and assess prior and newly gained knowledge, evidenced through a variety of media.