Intent:

At Westcott CE School, our Geography curriculum aims to inspire curiosity and fascination about the World; the people within it and develop an understanding of diverse places and cultures. 

Geography is about understanding the world we live in. It helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. At Westcott Church of England School, children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the Earth’s key physical and human processes, 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.

Implementation:

At Westcott Church of England School, Geography & History are taught through a topic based approach. Where possible, opportunities for cross curricular links are made giving a meaningful context for the learning. Teachers make it explicit to children that they are learning Geography skills and that they are being ‘Geographers.’

We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Lesson content and tasks are designed to provide appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with our commitment to inclusion.

It is important that children develop the skills of a geographer by fully immersing them in all areas of the subject. The local area is fully utilised to achieve desired outcomes, with opportunities for learning outside the classroom. School trips and fieldwork are provided to give first-hand experiences, which enhance children’s understanding of the world beyond their locality.

Impact:

By the time pupils leave Westcott Church of England School, they will:

• Have an excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like.
• Have an excellent understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected and how much human and physical environments are interrelated.
• Have an extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary.
• Be fluent in complex geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills and use effective analytical and presentational techniques.
• Have the ability to reach clear conclusions and develop reasoned arguments to explain findings.
• Have significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity as shown in interpretations and representations of subject matter.
• Have highly developed and frequently utilised fieldwork and other geographical skills and techniques.
• Have a passion for and commitment to the subject, and a real sense of curiosity to find out about the world and the people who live there.
• Have the ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current and contemporary issues in society and the environment.