Geography

Intent

At The Rosary Primary School, pupils are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. Geography is a knowledge rich subject and enables our children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas e.g. understanding of other cultures links with British Values; climate change and pollution of our seas and rivers links with RE and how we are stewards of the Earth.

As not all class teachers are geography specialists, we have designed a clearly sequenced curriculum that is rich in knowledge and that asks questions of our children as they study each topic. This encourages deeper thought and reflection. In our programme, these questions are denoted by the term Rosary Geographer. Teachers can however include their own ‘take’ on a topic and adapt the delivery to a way that suits their own class.

Our aim is for our children to know more and to remember more in geography. We aim for them to know more by making the core knowledge for each topic explicit. We aim for them to remember more through the use of knowledge organisers and the use of Working Walls which highlight make links with other learning.

We aim that our children will:

develop a broad range of geographical vocabulary, particularly relevant as 84% of our children speak English as an Additional Language
have a sense of curiosity and enjoyment and to participate in independent and self-directed research
have experience of Cultural Capital in a variety of different forms by exposing them to a wide range of experiences; school trips, experience days, and to study the significance and diversity of people and cultures
be resilient, independent and self-motivated by participating in class debates and discussions on current geographical topics where they are able to express themselves and boost their confidence and self-esteem
to be global citizens of the twenty first century by seeking to inspire in our children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Through approaching geography in this manner, we encourage an interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources, and natural and human environments as well as an interest in our planet’s future and the issues this presents.

Implementation

We measure the impact of our geography curriculum through the following methods:

In Class Feedback

In Geography, we understand that feedback in linked to progress and has to be timely to make an impact. In-class feedback is used to support teacher’s workload.

Assessment

Geography is a subject that embraces discussion and reflection. Teachers therefore assess oral contribution in lessons i.e. the confidence and ability of a pupil to express ideas based or based upon opinion and perspective.

Our children complete a Big Question at the end of each geography topic (Year 2 to Year 6) to show their understanding of key geographical knowledge.

Teaching Assistants and Interventions

Teaching assistants may be used in geography lessons in the following ways:

to support the writing/language element of a task
to encourage pupil debate in small groups
to encourage the use of accurate geographical vocabulary

School reports

Attainment in geography is reported to parents at the end of the school year.

At The Rosary Catholic Primary School we believe that geography is an integral part of understanding our place in the world and how we can contribute to its future.

Aspire, Believe, Achieve: Together in Christ.

21^st Century World; 21^st Century Learners

Useful Geography Websites

Geography

Intent

Implementation

Useful Geography Websites

Year 1: Where Do I Live?

Year 1: Amazing Animals

Year 2: Contrasting Localities

Year 2: Transport

Year 2: Under the Sea

Year 3: Natural Disaster!

Year 3: Perfect Planet?

Year 4: Water, Water Everywhere!

Year 4: Heston Detectives

Year 5: Contrasting Regions

Year 5: United Kingdom Explorer

Year 6: Explorers/North and South America