At Hazel Leys Academy we follow the national curriculum for geography. In geography in Key Stage 1, pupils develop their knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They learn to understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography through the study of the seaside, continents and oceans. 

In geography in Key Stage 2 pupils extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge. In Key Stage 2 children follow a yearly cycle for geography.

To enrich children’s learning in geography, children participate in visits to outdoor locations such as  trips to Newton Field Centre for geographical fieldwork. 

Intent:

Our Geography curriculum is designed to develop children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

Children investigate a range of places - both in the United Kingdom and abroad- to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes together with diversity and cultures. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area, what makes it special and unique. We also develop the children’s ability to apply geographical skills to enable them to confidently communicate their findings and geographical understanding to a range of audiences.

 Implementation:

Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children to develop their individual talents, realise their potential and aspire to become the very best they can be, regardless of background and ability. 

There is no single lesson format at Hazel Leys, teachers use their professional judgement to decide the most appropriate format for teaching based on the concept being taught and what their assessment tells them about their learners.

Geography lessons should be taught with our ethos in mind; inspire wonder and intellectual curiosity. Content should be delivered in a way that children are left wanting to know more about the area of learning. Therefore, some topics will be introduced with an exciting ‘hook’ day which could be a field trip or sampling foods or another cultural experience, to get the children excited and enthused about their new learning. Where possible cross-curricular links are planned through our topic approach. 

At Hazel Leys Academy we recognise the importance of understanding the underpinning concepts and disciplinary knowledge that are needed for all children to be successful in geography. As such children will be taught to understand geographical concepts such as place, space, scale, interdependence, physical and human processes, environmental impact, sustainable development, cultural awareness, and cultural diversity.

Impact:

Through high quality teaching, we develop the following essential characteristics of geographers by the end of Year 6:

· develop an increasingly secure knowledge of where places are and what they are like, both in the United Kingdom and the wider world

· a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected

· an extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary

· the ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings

· appropriate field work skills as well as other geographical aptitudes and techniques

· the ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current issues in society and then environment

· a genuine interest in the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live here.

We assess children’s understanding of the curriculum against age related expectations.  A portfolio of these is available for each year group.  Judgements are moderated with another school using the same topics.