After much research, we selected and adapted the Pearson Geography curriculum for KS1 and because we liked how it was sequenced and it builds on our existing EYFS curriculum for knowledge and understanding of the world. In Key Stage 1, children learn to name the countries of the United Kingdom and the seven Oceans, as well as learning key geography concepts such as identifying human and physical features and basic map skills. In Key stage 2, children deepen their knowledge of geographical concepts and study subjects such as rivers, population, sustainability and fieldwork skills. The content is challenging and increases in challenge every year, therefore we have included pre-requisite knowledge that children need to be taught before embarking on each unit. Each unit of work comes with a Powerful Knowledge sheet, which contains the key vocabulary and the important facts that need to be learned to understand the unit. Every pupil adds this to their ‘Powerful knowledge folder’ so that we can teach and revisit key concepts, whilst also revising at home.
All of our geography lessons start with retrieval practice, with carefully selected questions that help us to remember previously taught knowledge so that we can build on this when we learn new knowledge in the lesson.
We have trips and visitors to supplement our curriculum, as well as enrichment activities. For example, children in the early years have country experience day, where they learn about the culture and food of a particular country. Y3 visit Saltaire, to deepen their understanding of villages and cities, but to also bring together knowledge from previous history topics in KS1, where they learnt about Titus Salt. Children also have opportunity to apply their learning to projects, such as making a sustainable outfit, or teaching other children about the effects of pollution.
Please look at our curriculum overviews to find out more about our geography curriculum.