Geography

Intent 

At Worsley Bridge Primary school, we believe that it is vitally important for children to have a comprehensive global understanding and knowledge of the world and the people and cultures that inhabit it. Through understanding geography and the complexity of our planet, we believe that our children will develop respect for the physical environment and the diverse range of cultures and beliefs that make up our world. 
Our children will be self-aware of the impact they can have on our planet. Our Geography curriculum allows children to build resilience and become explorers and problem solvers. We want our children to be inquisitive about the world, open-minded as well as understanding how their actions and choices can impact the planet on which we live.  

All topics are planned and sequenced in a way that encourages the children to make links and question ideas. We use Rising Stars for our curriculum and ensure it is supplemented with a rich and varied range of experiences. Across the school, we strive to ensure our children fully understand their place in the world and how they can make a positive contribution. This is done by giving our children broad, diverse, and inclusive learning opportunities so that all children develop their confidence as ‘geographers’. 

At Worsley Bridge, we aim to ensure all pupils: 

• Have an excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like 
• Have an excellent understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected ad how much human and physical environments are interrelated. 
• Are passionate about Geography through gaining a clear understanding of ‘Our Local Area’ and the ‘wider world’. 
• Are stimulated through fieldwork, creating an inquisitive learner. 
• Can ask geographical questions through geographical enquiry and think critically using geographical vocabulary. 
• Foster a real sense of curiosity to find out about the world and the people who live there. 
• Have the ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current and contemporary issues in society and the environment. 

Implementation 

Geography topics at Worsley Bridge aim to encourage children’s interest about the world. They are taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children achieve layers of depth within their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics, throughout each year group, across the school. 

Through the Rising Stars Scheme, geographical enquiry forms the basis of our curriculum, encouraging children to think more deeply and critically about issues that affect the world and people’s lives enabling them to become more adept at forming ideas and opinions.  

By the end of Year 6, children will have a deep understanding of the world around us while fully utilising the local area which provides extensive learning opportunities for the children to explore.  

Existing knowledge is checked at the beginning of each theme which ensures that teaching is informed by the children’s starting points.  

Tasks are selected and designed to provide appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) follows the ‘Development Matters in the EYFS’ guidance which aims for all children in reception to have an ‘Understanding of the World; people and communities, the world and technology’ by the end of the academic year. 

Outcomes of work are regularly monitored to ensure that they reflect a sound understanding of the key identified progression of skills and knowledge.  

Impact 

The geographical journey of children in Worsley Bridge and the experiences we offer, will engage and inspire pupils to have a love and appreciation of the world we live in. By encouraging the enjoyment and engagement in geography, children will develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that will allow them to fulfil their potential. We endeavour to provide guidance and further opportunities to support them in their next steps to enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. 

We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about Geography, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future. 

GEOGRAPHY Progression of Knowledge and Skill EYFS - Year 6