'The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.'  Barack Obama 

At our school, geography inspires children to develop curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Our curriculum is carefully designed so that pupils build knowledge and skills progressively from the Early Years through to the end of Key Stage 2. 

In the Early Years, children begin to develop their understanding of the world through the Understanding the World: The Natural World strand of Development Matters and the Early Learning Goals. They explore seasonal change, weather, environments and the natural world around them. Through stories, outdoor exploration and discussion, children develop early geographical language and curiosity about places and environments. This strong foundation feeds directly into Year 1, where pupils begin to study the geography of their school, local area and the wider world.

From Key Stage 1, children begin to build their locational knowledge, place knowledge and understanding of human and physical geography, as outlined in the National Curriculum. Pupils learn about the United Kingdom and the wider world while developing geographical vocabulary and basic skills such as map reading, using simple compass directions and interpreting aerial photographs. They begin to use first-hand observation and simple fieldwork to explore the geography of their school grounds and surrounding environment.

In Key Stage 2, pupils extend their understanding beyond the local area to study the United Kingdom, Europe and other regions of the world. They deepen their knowledge of human and physical geographical processes, such as rivers, settlements, climate and land use, and develop more advanced geographical skills including interpreting maps, analysing data and using fieldwork to investigate places and environments.

Our curriculum encompasses high-quality geography teaching and combines substantive knowledge (what pupils learn about places and processes) with disciplinary knowledge (how geographers investigate and understand the world). Fieldwork and geographical enquiry are therefore central to our approach, enabling pupils to collect data, observe environments and draw conclusions about the places they study.

We place a strong emphasis on practical fieldwork and local geography, helping pupils connect their learning to the real world. Carefully planned fieldwork opportunities allow children to develop key geographical skills while learning more about their local area. For example:

• Year 1 pupils explore and map the local area, identifying different buildings and landmarks around the school and village.

• Year 3 pupils investigate land use in and around Cherry Burton, observing how land is used and considering why settlements and features are located where they are.

Through these experiences, pupils learn to observe, question, collect data and communicate their findings, helping them to think and work like geographers.

Our geography curriculum is inclusive and ambitious for all learners. Teachers adapt learning so that every child can access the curriculum and succeed. This may include the use of visual resources, practical and hands-on activities, pre-teaching of key vocabulary, scaffolding, and opportunities for collaborative learning. Fieldwork and enquiry-based activities provide meaningful ways for pupils with different strengths to engage with geography. At the same time, opportunities are provided for pupils to deepen their thinking through questioning, discussion and independent investigation.

Our aim is that all pupils develop a secure understanding of places, environments and the relationships between people and the planet, alongside the geographical skills needed to explore and understand the world around them, leaving primary school as curious, knowledgeable and responsible global citizens.