Geography

Geography at Junction Farm

Curriculum Intent:

he geography curriculum at Junction Farm has been designed to promote the children’s interest and understanding of the world and people in it. Our curriculum is designed to ensure the progressive development of geographical concepts, knowledge and skills to ensure all pupils become confident geographers. We aim to ensure these skills are continuously developed and deepened for further progression beyond Key Stage 2.
Through a broad and balanced Geography curriculum which encompasses investigative fieldwork opportunities, we aim to help our pupils navigate and understand the ever-changing human and physical world around them and their place in it.
Outdoor learning is an integral part of our geography curriculum, where skills are taught and experienced. It is important for children to experience geography in its physical form, looking at the environment around, experiencing places that have geographical relevance.

Curriculum Implementation:

The geography curriculum at Junction Farm has been carefully constructed within year group medium term and long-term plans. These outline a clear progression of knowledge and skills, taken from the National Curriculum.
The curriculum begins at EYFS where the children are encouraged to learn about their local area and the natural world around them. Children look at their immediate environment through stories, non-fiction books, outdoor provision, Forest School and simple maps. They will be able to use age-appropriate vocabulary to showcase their geographical knowledge.
In Key Stage 1, children learn through a 2-year rolling programme (Year A and Year B). The skills and knowledge taught develop their geographical awareness of our local area and extending their investigative skills looking at the wider world.
In Key Stage 2 their geographical awareness becomes more in depth and they investigate how human actions can impact the world around them. Children compare and discuss different environments from all continents and discover the survival and workings of our Earth.
Every geography lesson at Junction Farm begins by recapping children’s prior knowledge from the previous lesson, year and key stage which supports our children in knowing more and remembering more.
Assessment of Geography is ongoing within lessons: through observation of learning, engagement in discussions, work in books and regular retrieval activities such as quizzes and presentations. At the end of each unit of work, teachers complete an assessment grid to give the subject lead awareness of children who are on track in their learning. This will ensure future teaching and planning is adapted so that all children are able to be successful in the geography curriculum.
Children present some of their geography learning in exercise books, whilst some lessons will take more of a practical approach and learning may be recorded through photographs or film via our SeeSaw app. Teachers plan from subject leads guidance and support, which they are encouraged to adapt to suit the needs of their class. This ensures that all children, including children with SEN or EAL, can be successful geographers at Junction Farm.
Our learning platform, SeeSaw, enables us to showcase our practical and creative learning in geography lessons. As this is accessed at home children can share their knowledge and skills with their families and friends.
SeeSaw is regularly monitored in school, as well as book scrutiny, by the subject leader to ensure that all skills and knowledge have been covered effectively. The subject leader will also assess children’s understanding by pupil voice.

Curriculum Impact:

By the end of their primary education, the pupils at Junction Farm will be able to articulate and demonstrate that they have developed the geographical skills to help them explore, navigate and understand their world. All children will enjoy and be excited by their geography lessons and become keen and knowledgeable geographers that will equip them for life.