Intent 

Geography is a subject which promotes investigations, which in turn develop an understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. The curriculum at Brimscombe is delivered to ensure that teaching equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress through the school, their growing knowledge about the world helps them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge and skills are progressive and are sequenced to provide the framework and approaches that provide explanation of how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time. At Brimscombe, we want our young learners to ‘Think Geographically.’ By fully immersing themselves in the subject it is our aim for our students to be passionate about Geography, have the skills and knowledge to develop ideas and concepts, and crucially to begin to understand the world and their place within it. 

 

Implementation 

At Brimscombe, we follow the Royal Geographical Society long term plan which maps out the knowledge and skills which pupils need to gain Geographical ‘expertise.’ The curriculum structure allows for clear progression between key stage phases which build on previous learning. As we have mixed year groups the curriculum is split into Year A and B so that all children have the opportunity to cover required objectives. We have made a deliberate choice not to teach our foundation subjects through theme weeks or adopt a thematic approach which merges several foundation subjects together. Units of Geography learning are taught discreetly, with clear objectives. Geography lessons are always taught sequentially whereby children build on previous learning. In order to improve teaching and learning in the subject, the school carried out staff and pupil voices (July 2021.) The main results have been incorporated into key principles which teachers strive to implement during sequences of learning. 

Pupil Principles 

• We like to have our lessons taught in a row because it helps us to remember and understand. 

• We like to work in groups with our friends. 

• We want to learn new skills in lessons as well as new information. 

• We would like to have more Geography activities at school in Outdoor learning and school trips. 

• We like to use atlases, maps and technology to discover new places. 

 

Staff Principles 

• We will develop the children’s key geographical skills. 

• We sequence our Geography curriculum so that it builds on previous knowledge. 

• We will provide opportunities for fieldwork. 

• We will develop opportunities to raise pupil’s engagement in the subject. 

• We will plan lessons which spark curiosity. 

• We will ensure that we have resources which support the children’s learning. 

 

Impact 

Outcomes are recorded in the children’s foundation subject books as well as through pictures and videos on our online learning app, Seesaw. Teachers use a range of formative assessment strategies to assess children’s understanding and gage attainment and progress. These include the use of concept cartoons, self-assessment, conversations with pupils and marking work in books or on Seesaw.