Geography

Statement of Intent for Geography

At Tewkesbury C of E, through our Geography curriculum, we aim to expand geographical vocabulary, increase our children’s knowledge and curiosity of the wider world and promote high aspirations.

We seek to create a life-long love of the subject, through teaching our children about diverse places, people and resources. Through the study of natural and human environments, as well as physical and human processes, our desire is to provide our children with a sense of awe and wonder about the world they live in. As they continue on their journey of Geography, we aim to foster a deep understanding of the subject that develops alongside their geographical skills. Our aim is that our children go on to apply these skills across all subjects, as well as in their futures beyond Tewkesbury C of E.

Why do we teach it the way we do?

Our curriculum is designed to provide our children with the subject- specific language they need to describe, question and discuss the world, as well as their place in it. Our pupils are encouraged to recognise that they have a voice and to use it confidently to debate topics that they feel passionate about, for example, deforestation or renewable energy. We aim to produce well- rounded individuals by providing our children with opportunities to expand their cultural capital and experiences of the world.

Implementation

What do we teach? 

What does this look like?

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be. 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. 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 embedded in practise. School trips and fieldwork are provided to give first hand experiences, which enhance children’s understanding of the world beyond their locality. 

Impact

What will this look like? 

By the time children leave our 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 a reasoned argument to explain findings. 

∙ Have significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity as shown in interpretations and representations of the subject matter. 

∙ Be 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.

- Be prepared to become competent geographers in secondary education. 

“We know good geography happens in our school when…”

1.     We are excited by and understand the importance of geography.

2.     We see ourselves as geographers - we ask questions, investigate, experience, discover and develop new skills.

3.     We can be creative, curious and understand the need for us to develop a caring and responsible attitude for the wider world.

4.     We can make connections between what we have learnt in geography to other topics.

5.     We are encouraged and given time to share our ideas and findings.

6.     Our lessons are engaging and carefully sequenced to allow us all to have the opportunity to achieve and make progress in geography.