Intent
At Castor Church of England Primary School, our geography curriculum is designed in line with the National Curriculum and supported by the principles of the Oak National Academy curriculum. We aim to inspire curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, both locally and globally, and to develop a lasting love of learning about geography.
Our curriculum equips pupils with secure knowledge of human and physical geography and helps them understand how places, environments and people are interconnected and change over time. We also encourage children to think about important global issues such as climate change, sustainability and natural disasters, helping them to become responsible global citizens.
Learning is carefully sequenced from EYFS to Year 6 to ensure progression in both knowledge and skills. Pupils learn through enquiry-based approaches, discussion and fieldwork, allowing them to ask questions, explore ideas and make meaningful connections between places and processes.
Our Geography curriculum is underpinned by key golden threads:
- Locational Knowledge
- Place Knowledge
- Human Features
- Physical Features
- Human Processes
- Physical Processes
- Geographical Skills and Fieldwork
Implementation
Geography is taught through well-planned units following our progression of substantive and disciplinary knowledge, informed by the Oak National Academy curriculum framework and the National Curriculum.
Teachers explicitly teach key vocabulary and model geographical skills to support pupils in building and applying their knowledge. Retrieval practice is used regularly to help children remember and build on prior learning.
Children access a wide range of resources including maps, atlases, globes, aerial photographs and digital mapping tools to develop their understanding of the world. Learning is also enriched through discussion, enquiry and collaborative tasks.
Assessment is ongoing and includes:
- Retrieval activities and vocabulary checks
- Pupil discussions and pupil voice
- Observation of fieldwork and practical tasks
- End of unit outcomes
Impact
By the end of their primary journey, children at Castor Church of England Primary School will have developed a secure understanding of the world and their place within it. They will confidently use geographical vocabulary, interpret maps and apply fieldwork skills.
Pupils will have developed curiosity, independence and a strong awareness of environmental and global issues. They will be able to make connections across their learning through our geographical golden threads, helping them retain knowledge and deepen understanding over time.
Ultimately, our pupils leave Castor C of E Primary School as informed, inquisitive and responsible global citizens who are well-prepared for the next stage of their geographical education.