Geography Intent

Geography synthesises different ideas and types of knowledge which is why it is both a challenging and exciting subject. Our aim is for Geography is to fascinate and inspire our children: the beauty of the Earth, the terrible power of Earth-shaping forces, how the ground under our feet is constantly moving and changing. However, it is not geography until you understand the significance of location and links with other places at global and local scales of study. Other concepts add depth and support a deeper understanding of people, places and environments.  Geography deepens understanding, and our children will be asked to debate many contemporary challenges such as, climate change, food security, energy choices – these cannot be understood without a geographical perspective.

As with our whole Connected Curriculum, we want our children to develop an understanding which is more than, where they live is a collection of buildings unconnected from one another. We want them to understand how their community is part of the wider community of their town, their county, their country and their world and how they play a part in that. By the time they leave our school, we also want the children to be able to observe the physical world and understand the huge forces that are constantly changing the landscape around them. Our Geographers will also be skilful: using maps and images of people and places, numerical data and graphical modes of communication to better understand locations around the world. They will compare this new information to better understand their own location and community.

Geography knowledge is rarely static. The subject is dynamic because the world, and our understanding of it, is continually changing. Yet, some key geographical concepts will be visited through every year group. All activities will deepen the children’s understanding of one or more of the following concepts:

• The physical world: the land, water, air and ecological system; landscapes; and the processes that bring them about and change them. 
• Human environments: societies, communities and the human processes involved in understanding work, home, consumption and leisure – and how places are made.
• Interdependence: crucially, linking the physical world and human environments and understanding the concept of sustainable development.
• Place and space: recognising similarities and differences across the world and developing knowledge and understanding of location, interconnectedness and spatial patterns. For example, our address marks the location of our house, but place describes where we feel at home.
• Scale: the ‘zoom lens’ through which the subject matter is ‘seen’, and the significance of local, regional, national, international and global perspectives.