Geography
Christ Church (Church of England) Junior aims to provide the highest standards of education and care within a Christian foundation. We also recognise and celebrate the limitless potential of all our children and seek to maximise their natural enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning in Geography.
By learning Geography, the children will gain an understanding and appreciation of places, environments, processes and patterns. Through their work in Geography, the children will learn about their local area, and they will compare their life in this area with that in other significant places in the United Kingdom and the rest of the world. They will learn how to draw and interpret maps, and they will develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving through enquiry led learning. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of Human Geography, the children will gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. They will also find out about the physical world enabling them to recognise the importance of a sustainable development for the future of mankind, as well as social, moral, spiritual and cultural implications.
At the start of each new topic, the children in each year group will be provided with a day of exciting activities during our ‘Inspiration Days’. The intention of these is to enthuse the children for their learning of the topic ahead. They will also be engaged with visits, trips, memorable experiences and specialist visitors coming into school to help enhance their learning.
Intent
We believe that Geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as their place in it. The geography curriculum enables children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas and which can and are used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops and understanding of concepts, knowledge and skills. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. The curriculum is designed to develop knowledge and skills that are progressive, as well as transferable, throughout their time here and also to their further education and beyond.
Implementation
Geography is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each blocked topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics throughout each year group across the school. At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs the programme of study and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points. Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion. Cross curricular outcomes in geography are specifically planned for. The local area is sometimes utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice.
Impact
Children also record what they have learned comparative to their starting points at the end of every topic. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding an appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context. Geographical understanding, as well as children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is further supported by the school’s links with partner schools. Children are able to learn about careers related to geography from members of the local and wider community with specialist skills and knowledge, ensuring that they are well prepared for the next steps of their education.
