Geography

INTENT

At St. Thomas’, we aim to supply all pupils with an engaging, informative, and flexible curriculum that provides skills and challenges that stretch and develop children’s understanding of the world through the study of Geography. The geography curriculum enables all pupils to collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes. In addition to this, children will develop further by interpreting a range of sources of geographical information, including online (iPad) research, maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs, and Geographical Information Systems (GIS), and communicate this geographical information in a variety of ways. Children will harness the use of iPad technology to further enhance and control their learning experience of geography.

IMPLEMENTATION

At St. Thomas’, children are provided and engaged with a vast number of geographical skills over a two-year cycle period. These geographical skills are mapped out using the Geography National Curriculum and in-line with the school’s Geography Skills Progression Document. The Progression of Skills Document is vital in enabling each child to build on previous knowledge and to further develop new and existing geographical skills. In addition to this, children can utilise technology (iPads) to further enhance knowledge; this allows all pupils to access research materials to further inspire geographical learning. The geography curriculum at St Thomas’ grants all pupils with the opportunity to explore, develop and progress each year.

IMPACT

At St. Thomas’, children are excited and engaged in a meaningful geographical learning experience. Through the study of geography, children develop their curiosity about the world around them, and develop independence to take on practical challenges to achieve goals. Children thrive in understanding global positions of continents and countries, cultures and traditions around the world, and mapping skills. The work children produce is evident on Seesaw, a digital platform, which teachers use to assess the progress each student is making. High-quality discussions take place within lessons between staff and pupils to provide children with useful feedback to progress further. The experiences gained at St. Thomas’ allow all pupils to be prepared for future tasks that require geographical skill and knowledge.