Geography
"Geography illustrates the past, explains the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?"
Michael Palin
"Surely we all have a responsibility to care for our planet. The future of humanity and indeed all life on earth now depends on us."
Sir David Attenborough
Curriculum Statement of Intent
At BCF, we are Geographers! We understand and appreciate our world.We are developing our:- knowledge of diverse places
- geographical skills
- environmental awareness
- critical thinking skills
At BCF our intent for Geography education is to foster a deep understanding and appreciation of the world in which our pupils live. We aim to inspire curiosity and encourage a sense of wonder about the natural and human environments. Our curriculum is designed to provide pupils with:
- Knowledge of Diverse Places: Pupils will learn about different cultures, economies, and physical landscapes, which nurtures global citizenship and cultural awareness.
- Geographical Skills: We aim to equip pupils with essential skills such as map reading, fieldwork, and data interpretation that are transferable across disciplines and life in general.
- Environmental Awareness: The curriculum incorporates themes around sustainability and climate change, helping pupils understand their role in caring for the planet.
- Critical Thinking: We encourage pupils to question, analyse, and form judgements about geographical phenomena, promoting critical thinking skills that can be applied beyond the classroom.
Our Geography curriculum aligns with the National Curriculum and is underpinned by our school values of respect, teamwork, perseverance and kindness. It also supports our vision to provide challenge for all children and develop their sense of community, curiosity and creativity.
Curriculum Implementation
The implementation of our Geography curriculum is well-structured and ensures progressive learning across year groups. There is a clear focus on geographical vocabulary, which the children build upon year on year.
The key strategies include:
- Sequential Curriculum Design: Our Geography curriculum is carefully sequenced to build upon prior knowledge and skills. Each year group focuses on specific themes that develop as the years progress. Learning is focussed around a key question to further foster the enquiry process in Geography.
- Interactive Learning Experiences: We employ a variety of teaching methods, including outdoor learning, virtual field trips, and storytelling, to engage pupils. Field trips to local areas of interest enhance learning by allowing practical application of concepts in real-world contexts.
- Cross-Curricular Links: Where possible, Geography is integrated across the curriculum, linking with subjects such as history, science, and art. This holistic approach helps pupils make connections and reinforces their geographical understanding.
- Assessment and Feedback: Regular formative assessments guide our teaching. We employ diverse assessment strategies, including self-assessments, peer feedback, and teacher evaluations, to ensure that pupils understand their progress and areas for improvement.
- Professional Development: Our staff regularly participate in CPD (Continuing Professional Development) focused on best practices, ensuring they are up-to-date with the latest educational research and strategies to best support our pupils.
Curriculum Impact
The impact of our Geography curriculum is evidenced in multiple ways:
Children will have developed a clear understanding of the UK, and the characteristics of the different countries within it, celebrating similarities and differences.
Children will have developed a clear understanding of the continents of the world and their place within this
Children will have a secure understanding of human and physical geography
Children will have a secure foundation of geographical vocabulary
- Pupil Outcomes: Pupils demonstrate high levels of knowledge and skills as geographers, which is evidenced by teacher assessment and observational data. They will have developed an awareness of the local area, and their place within it.
- Engagement and Enthusiasm: Pupil voice surveys indicate a high level of interest and enjoyment in Geography. Many pupils express a desire to explore further and develop their understanding of global issues.
- Behaviour and Attitudes: Geography lessons encourage cooperative learning, fostering respect and teamwork in line with our school values. We observe positive behaviours during lessons, with pupils working collaboratively to solve geographical problems.
- Long-term Memory Retention: Regular knowledge checks reveal a strong retention of key concepts over time. Our pupils can discuss geographical themes confidently, demonstrating their understanding in a variety of contexts.
- Community and Global Awareness: Pupils actively engage in projects that promote environmental sustainability and community involvement, indicating their understanding of their role within a global context.