Rationale
At St. Paul's C E Primary School, we believe geography is a window to the world, helping children to understand their place within it and inspiring curiosity about people, places, and environments. Geography enables children to explore and appreciate the diversity of our world while developing respect, responsibility, and compassion for others and the planet we share. Our geography curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision, “Together We Grow, Love to Learn, Shine and Make a Difference,” and inspired by the words “Let your light shine” (Matthew 5:16), encouraging every child to grow as an informed, thoughtful, and active global citizen.
Our geography curriculum is grounded in the belief that every child, regardless of background, ability, or experience, has the right to develop a sense of wonder about the world and an understanding of how people and places are connected. We are committed to a practical, engaging, and inclusive approach where children learn through enquiry, exploration, discussion, fieldwork, map work and the use of a wide range of geographical sources. We provide a safe and supportive environment where all children, including those with additional needs, are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas and shine.
We believe geography is essential in helping children make sense of the world around them whilst developing a sense of place and scale and considering how these change over time. By making geography an active and meaningful part of school life, we empower every child to develop curiosity, broaden their horizons, celebrate diversity and flourish as confident and responsible learners who consider their impact on the future of our planet.
Overview
At St. Paul's C E Primary School, our geography curriculum inspires children to develop a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Through engaging and inclusive learning experiences, pupils explore local and global environments, learn to use maps and fieldwork skills and understand the relationship between human and physical geography. Rooted in our Christian vision, “Together We Grow, Love to Learn, Shine and Make a Difference,” we encourage children to think deeply about how places are connected and how their actions can impact the future of our planet, helping them grow as responsible and informed global citizens.
Intent
At St Paul’s Primary, our Geography curriculum is designed to inspire curiosity and deepen children’s understanding of the world around them. We aim to develop pupils who can think, know and apply their learning like geographers through the study of people, places and environments.
Through carefully sequenced learning, children develop a strong foundation of geographical vocabulary which enables them to describe, explain and analyse the world with confidence. Key concepts such as place, scale and time are threaded throughout all year groups, helping pupils to understand how places change over time and how the world is interconnected.
We encourage enquiry and questioning throughout Geography lessons, allowing children to investigate, explore different perspectives and draw informed conclusions. A strong focus on oracy supports pupils in articulating ideas, debating issues and discussing geographical and global challenges confidently.
Through learning about sustainability, environmental change and global issues, children develop an awareness of their impact on the wider world and grow into informed, responsible global citizens.
Implementation
Geography is taught weekly every other half term, allowing children to immerse themselves in geographical concepts and develop a deeper understanding over time. Our curriculum is structured around key geographical themes including place, space, scale, time and human and physical processes. Through enquiry, investigation, map work, data analysis and fieldwork, children are encouraged to think like geographers.
Geographical vocabulary is explicitly taught to support pupils in communicating their understanding confidently and accurately. Opportunities for discussion, questioning and debate strengthen oracy skills and encourage children to explore different viewpoints and deepen their understanding of geographical and global issues.
Our enquiry-based approach encourages pupils to ask questions, investigate patterns and consider the impact of human and physical processes on the environment. Through exploring local, national and global issues, children develop an understanding of sustainability, environmental responsibility and their role within the wider world.
The curriculum is further enriched through outdoor learning days and fieldwork experiences, enabling pupils to apply their learning in real-life contexts. These opportunities help children develop practical geographical skills, strengthen their sense of place and understand how places change over time.
Impact
The impact of our Geography curriculum at St Paul’s ensures children are equipped with the key geographical skills, knowledge and curiosity needed to understand the wider world and become informed, responsible global citizens.
They:
· Develop a secure and progressive understanding of the world around them.
· Are able to think, speak and apply their knowledge like geographers.
· Build a strong foundation of geographical vocabulary and use it confidently within discussions and written work.
· Develop an understanding of place, scale and environmental change across local, national and global contexts.
· Are able to make meaningful connections between human and physical geography.
· Through enquiry and questioning, pupils become curious, reflective and independent learners.
· Children confidently communicate ideas, opinions and geographical understanding through discussion, debate and oracy opportunities.
· Partake in outdoor learning and fieldwork experiences enable pupils to apply geographical skills in real-life contexts.
· Develop an awareness of global issues, sustainability and the impact humans have on the world around them.
· Leave St Paul’s as knowledgeable, respectful and environmentally conscious global citizens.
