Geography

Please click HERE to see an overview of what Geography is taught in each of the year groups.

Subject Intent 

At Whitehill we want our children to be inquisitive and to question the information they are presented with, to further their geographical understanding. We want children to understand: where they are located within the world as well as within the United Kingdom, to be able to use a range of resources and tools to understand their location and the landscapes of contrasting environments, to appreciate, describe and have a desire to conserve the differing environments of the world. Geography is an exciting, inquiry led subject that helps us better understand the people, places and environments in the world. 

The Geography National Curriculum states that a high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. It is a subject that seeks answers to fundamental questions such as:  Where is this place?  What is it like? Why is it like this?  How and why is it changing?  How does this place compare with other places?  How and why are places connected? 

Geography enables children to draw and build on the vast range of vocabulary to identify and name places, the characteristics of the place and the human and physical processes that have been identified there. Such core knowledge provides the building blocks of deeper explanation and understanding; providing entry points to geographical conversations about the world around them. 

Aims & Expectations 

Through the implementation of our Geography curriculum, students will develop an understanding of how various parts of the World compare and contrast. Careful curriculum design ensures that the students will come to understand how human actions and natural phenomena can interact, change and impact upon different localities. They will come to recognise how their own choices can have implications for society and the planet. In addition, the pupils will learn a range of practical skills and geographical knowledge. Lessons will be both knowledge based where children focus on subject specific vocabulary and learning about their local environment before they look at the geography of the United Kingdom. Where there is an authentic link between geography learning and other disciplines, the curriculum has been created in a way that allows students and teachers to explore those links, deepening their knowledge and embedding their learning through application.

Inclusion & Equal Opportunities 

All children, including children with SEND are expected to participate in the learning of Geography. Through our Geography teaching, we provide learning opportunities that enable all pupils to make progress. We do this by setting suitable learning challenges and responding to each child’s different needs. Learning and activities may need to be adapted slightly per child’s needs so they are still able to engage in learning. Lessons will be a mixture of knowledge based and practical skills activities so all children will experience a range of learning opportunities during geography lessons. 

Parental Involvement & Wider Community Links 

Where possible, people with an interest, or expertise, in a particular topic or area of geography could be invited into school to work with the children. Geographical studies may also lead to fieldwork and visits to places of interest both locally and further afield. Links with the local planning department along with national and global charities are also used to enhance learning.

Resourcing, Health & Safety Considerations 

Resources should be of a high quality so as to enrich the learning experience. 

Access to a  wide range of maps, text books and resources linked to each topic are readily available . Visits are planned to enhance learning and deepen the students’ understanding . 

To ensure safe practice at all times, staff should be aware of the contents of the Health and Safety policy. Any educational visits require relevant RISK ASSESSMENT documentation to be completed according to the school’s policy. 

Monitoring 

Ongoing teacher assessment is used to inform planning, lesson activities and differentiation. The quality of geography teaching is monitored throughout all year groups using a variety of strategies such as lesson observations, book looks, staff questionnaires and pupil interviews. Progress data is also analysed three times a year.