1/1

Geography

Geography is about understanding the world by: comparing locations; investigating; researching different sources; writing and talking about places; asking and answering questions.

At St Eanswythe’s Primary School, our geography curriculum is designed to develop knowledge and skills that are progressive, as well as transferable, throughout the children’s time here.

These are the aims of the school for all our children to work towards:

A genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here.
An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in Britain and the wider world;
A comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected;
An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary;
The ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings;
A growing understanding of how humans affect the planet and ways in which we can help;
Excellent fieldwork skills.

Please take a look at our long term plan:

https://www.st-eanswythes.kent.sch.uk/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Geography-Long-Term-Plan-2022-2.pdf

Key Stage 1

Geography at Key Stage 1:

In Years R, 1 and 2, the children begin to develop a geographical vocabulary by learning about where they live. In Folkestone we are very lucky to have the seaside to explore with its changing coastline and so visits to the beach and the sands are an excellent aid to the children’s learning. They will learn about weather patterns in the United Kingdom and hot and cold areas of the world. They will start to learn about the continents and the seas and oceans. In Year 2 they will observe how London has changed since The Great Fire in 1666 and where and why Castles in the UK are situated where they are.

They will use ICT, world maps, atlases and globes, simple compass directions, aerial photographs and plans, as well as simple fieldwork and observational skills.

Key Stage 2

Geography at Key Stage 2:

In Years 3 to 6, the Geography curriculum retains some flexibility, and builds and expands on previous knowledge. There are four focus areas:

Locational knowledge
Place knowledge
Human and physical geography
Geographical skills and fieldwork

Locational knowledge examines latitude, longitude and time zones. Children will use maps to focus on Europe, North and South America, concentrating on regions, key physical / human characteristics, countries, and major cities. They will also work on locating the counties and cities of the United Kingdom, and start to explore their human and physical characteristics.

In Year 3 children learn about the rainforests of the world and why they are diminishing. The upper key stages go into detail about the rivers and waterways of the UK and compare and contrast to that of rivers around the world. They learn about the mountains and the environments that are created with them.

Children also examine geographical similarities and differences by comparing the geography of a region of the United Kingdom with a region in another part of the world. Year 4 looks at a village in Chembakoli in India, comparing location and settlements there. This is part of the place knowledge aspect of the curriculum.

For human and physical geography, the children will be taught to describe and understand key aspects of geography, for example: climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, the water cycle, types of settlement, economic activity and the distribution of natural resources.

Geographical skills and fieldwork include using atlases, maps and photographs to find different locations, towns, capital cities and countries of the world. Look at the contours of the land and to read a compass to show direction. Fieldwork is paramount to learning. We encourage trips in all classes to reinforce the children’s learning. Our trips have included; various locations in Folkestone, London, Kew Gardens, Dover Castle and Walmer Castle, just to name a few.

St Eanswythe’s pledge is for all our children to get excited about geography and thrive on the knowledge they hold. To give the children the tools they need to take along on their learning journey not just through primary school but throughout their lives.

1/1

1/1