Geography

Intent

At St Barnabas Nursery and Primary, we want our children to be curious about the world and the people who live in it. Geography helps pupils to understand places, environments and communities, and how the world is interconnected.

Our ambition is for pupils to develop strong locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography knowledge, and the disciplinary skills needed to think and work like geographers. This includes the ability to observe, ask questions, interpret maps, use fieldwork techniques and analyse patterns.

From the earliest years, children explore their immediate environment and begin to develop geographical vocabulary. Our Nursery Strong Foundations approach nurtures curiosity, observation and talk about the world, preparing pupils well for future learning.

We want pupils to leave St Barnabas as knowledgeable, thoughtful and responsible geographers who care about the world and their place within it.

Implementation

Geography is taught through a carefully sequenced and progressive curriculum that builds knowledge and skills over time. Key concepts such as place, space, scale, environment, interconnection and sustainability are revisited so that pupils deepen their understanding.

Teaching focuses on:

• Developing locational and place knowledge of the local area, the United Kingdom and the wider world

• Learning about human and physical features and how they interact

• Explicit teaching of geographical vocabulary

• Regular opportunities for fieldwork and map skills

Lessons follow a consistent sequence of Connect, Explain, Example, Attempt, Apply and Challenge, supporting pupils to build understanding step by step.

Knowledge Organisers and Knowledge Notes reduce cognitive load and spotlight the most important information. Retrieval practice is used regularly so that pupils remember and apply prior learning.

High quality oracy is embedded within geography lessons. Pupils discuss places, explain ideas, justify opinions and use subject specific language confidently.

Where appropriate, geography is linked meaningfully with other subjects such as history, science and reading to strengthen understanding.

Teachers provide scaffolds and adaptations so that all pupils, including those with SEND or who are disadvantaged, can access and succeed.

Impact

By the time pupils leave St Barnabas, they:

• Have secure knowledge of key places, environments and geographical concepts

• Use maps, atlases and fieldwork skills with confidence

• Can describe and explain human and physical processes

• Make connections between places and understand how the world is interconnected

• Show curiosity and care for the environment

Pupils leave St Barnabas as confident and informed geographers who feel a sense of belonging in the world and who aspire to understand and protect it.