Geography

INTENT:

At St Stephen’s, our Geography curriculum is designed to spark curiosity about the world and develop pupils’ understanding of the diverse environments, places and communities that make up our planet. We aim for children to leave our school with a strong sense of place, an awareness of global issues and an understanding of how physical and human processes shape the world around them. Our curriculum supports pupils in becoming analytical, inquisitive thinkers who can interpret geographical information, ask meaningful questions and think critically about global issues so that they can build the cultural capital needed to understand their place in the world.

A key aim of our Geography curriculum is to broaden pupils’ horizons. We recognise that not all children have equal access to enriching experiences beyond school, so we provide meaningful opportunities for fieldwork, educational visits, outdoor learning and immersive activities. These experiences help pupils develop practical geographical skills such as observing, measuring, recording, interpreting data and communicating findings. They also support pupils in developing respect for others, responsibility for the environment and an appreciation of the diversity of the world’s people and places, in line with our mission statement: ‘Love like Jesus, Learn like Jesus, Live like Jesus.’

We are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or individual challenge, is able to succeed within Geography and across the wider curriculum. Recognising that some pupils may have limited vocabulary, life experiences or exposure to the wider world, our curriculum deliberately prioritises the development of language, knowledge and cultural awareness, enabling all pupils to access and engage with geographical learning.

Units are structured to revisit and deepen prior learning, ensuring pupils develop secure, long-term understanding. This spiral approach allows pupils to return to key concepts—such as the UK, Europe, climate, and environmental change—at increasing levels of complexity.

Learning is carefully sequenced across the school to build knowledge progressively:

• In Key Stage 1, pupils begin by exploring their local area, alongside basic geographical knowledge such as the UK, continents and oceans, weather patterns and contrasting locations.
• In Key Stage 2, pupils extend this understanding through the study of rivers, mountains, volcanoes, climate zones, settlements, trade links, Europe, the Americas and global environmental issues.

We recognise that not all pupils have equal access to enriching experiences beyond school. Therefore, a central aim of our Geography curriculum is to broaden pupils’ horizons by providing meaningful opportunities to experience the world first-hand through trips, fieldwork, visitors and immersive activities.

In line with our mission, ‘Love like Jesus, Learn like Jesus, Live like Jesus’, pupils are encouraged to develop respect for others, a sense of responsibility towards the environment and an appreciation of the diversity of the world’s people and places.

IMPLEMENTATION:

Geography is taught through a coherent, progressive curriculum that supports pupils in developing both knowledge and enquiry skills over time. Teachers promote a culture of high expectations, ensuring all children are supported to achieve their best.

• Units are structured to build on prior learning, allowing pupils to deepen their understanding of location, place, human and physical geography as they move through KS1 and KS2.
• In KS1, pupils are introduced to simple geographical concepts through observation, discussion and practical activities, including early map skills.
• In KS2, learning becomes increasingly enquiry-driven, with pupils investigating geographical questions, interpreting data and drawing conclusions about the world around them.

A strong emphasis is placed on vocabulary development. Teachers model precise geographical language and provide regular opportunities for pupils to articulate their thinking. This supports pupils with weaker communication skills and ensures all children can express their understanding confidently.

Learning is adapted to meet the needs of all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged or have additional needs. Teachers identify gaps early and provide targeted support to ensure every child can achieve well.

We also ensure pupils are ready to learn through a whole-school focus on attendance, wellbeing and engagement, enabling them to access the full curriculum

Enrichment is central to our approach. Fieldwork is embedded across the curriculum, enabling pupils to explore their local area and apply geographical skills in real contexts. Educational visits, workshops and visitors enhance pupils’ understanding of global and environmental issues. Hands-on and immersive experiences help bring Geography to life and make learning memorable.

Fieldwork is used to develop practical skills, allowing pupils to explore and investigate their local environment.

• Educational visits (such as river studies, local area walks or environmental studies) provide real-world context for learning.
• Visitors and themed workshops enhance pupils’ understanding of global and environmental issues.
• Hands-on and immersive experiences help bring Geography to life and make learning more memorable.

Alongside this, we recognise the importance of ensuring pupils are ready to learn. A consistent whole-school focus on attendance, wellbeing and engagement supports pupils in accessing the full Geography curriculum.

IMPACT:

Our Geography curriculum ensures that pupils develop into informed, curious and reflective learners with a secure understanding of the world around them.

By the time they leave St Stephen’s, children have developed a clear understanding of key geographical knowledge, including local and global places, environmental processes and human impact on the world. They are able to place their learning into context and make connections across different topics.

Our curriculum ensures that all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve strong outcomes. They develop a growing sense of environmental responsibility and global awareness, understanding how human actions impact the planet and how they can contribute positively to the world.

The impact of our Geography curriculum is reflected in:

• Pupils’ ability to confidently discuss and explain geographical concepts
• High levels of engagement and interest in learning about the world
• Stronger outcomes for all pupils, including those who are disadvantaged
• A developing sense of environmental responsibility and global awareness
• Positive attitudes towards learning and a curiosity about different places and cultures

Children at St Stephen’s leave with an appreciation of Geography and the skills needed to understand their place within an ever-changing world.