Intent
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The study of geography will inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. It needs to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments. We use an enquiry-based approach for teaching Geography because we know it makes the learning focused for children. Questions are carefully selected to ensure that children are excited by their learning whilst ensuring National Curriculum coverage is achieved.
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Key geographical skills such as mapwork, directional language and fieldwork are taught and revisited throughout the curriculum and links are made with other subjects to ensure the relevance of these skills is clear. The study of the wider world develops an understanding of what being part of a global community means. It encourages children to be more aware of other cultures around the world and the impact they can have as an individual.
Vocabulary
Children will develop the ability to apply subject specific vocabulary in Geography through consistent modelling by adults, whilst establishing a culture of high expectations for discussions and debates. See below list of examples:
KS1 Vocabulary List
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Baseline |
Lower KS1 |
Upper KS1 |
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street left teacher house right caretaker bungalow forwards Head Teacher school backwards cleaner church above Police Officer zebra crossing under doctor traffic lights tunnel dentist bridge roundabout map |
near transport wind far lorry snow left bus rain right car hail building summer fog plan winter wet globe autumn dry journey spring hot travel seasons cold long short wide bungalow junction narrow town Village farm |
England location Dublin Scotland route Equator Northern Ireland aerial view North Pole Eire landscape South Pole Wales environment Irish Sea North London North Sea South Edinburgh English Channel east Cardiff local west Belfast distant semi-detached terraced address larger smaller behind city desert ocean beach cliff coast forest hill mountain sea river valley soil vegetation seasonal port harbour factory |
Lower KS2 Vocabulary List
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Settlement valley mountain community Vegetation weathering landscape soil erosion [within weathering] relief map peat port political map loam harbour cliff clay factory ocean lake office fieldwork transport [carry] industry sketch diagram compass North East South East North West South West Weather climate zone polar equator Tropical longitude latitude environment
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Greenhouse warm polytunnel contour humid intensive farming height coastal arable farming hydroponics evaporation market gardening allotment precipitation mixed farming distribution condensation organic farming import hemisphere distance export productivity scale native/ indigenous natural resources grid reference sustainable man-made materials satellite weathering/erosion hemisphere settlement patterns natural disaster tropical inland ox-bow lake polar urban/ rural spring [water] trade |
Upper KS2 Vocabulary List
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climate/ weather flood plain deposition climate zones meander transportation tributary surface confluence vegetation belts sea level mouth river grid reference source delta terrain products ox-bow lake features industrial grid reference contour lines continent landscape natural sub-continent water cycle population development arid precipitation irrigation evaporation condensation ground water settlement industry tourist excursion
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scale [maps] contours migrate naturalised Arctic disperse indigenous Antarctic sustainability immigrant renewable natural disaster survey population natural resources questionnaire biomes canopy [trees] latitude vegetation belts Ordnance Survey longitude climate zones distance Greenwich/Prime Meridian conservation scale Time zone pollution grid reference Northern hemisphere export symbols Southern hemisphere import urban Tropic of Capricorn tropical rural Tropic of Cancer equatorial land use Equator Subterranean congestion latitude Location pollution longitude minutes[location] tectonic plates deforestation magma
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Rolling Programme
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Year A (2025–6) |
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer 2 |
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EYFS |
How do we celebrate? (RE/Geog) |
What makes our world wonderful? (Geog) |
Are coastlines important? (hist/geog)
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Years 1 & 2 |
What is the geography of where I live? |
Why do we love being by the sea so much? |
How does the weather affect our lives? |
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Years 3 & 4 |
Why do the biggest earthquakes not always cause the most damage? |
Beyond the Magic Kingdom: what is the Sunshine State really like? |
Why do so many people live in megacities? |
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Years 5 & 6 |
How do volcanoes affect the lives of people on Hiemaey? |
What is a river? |
Why are mountains so important? |
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Year B (2026–7) |
Autumn |
Spring 2 |
Summer 2 |
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EYFS |
Toy story |
Weather and Seasons |
Once upon a time |
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Years 1 & 2 |
Penguins |
Why does it matter where my food comes from? |
How does the geography of Kampong Ayer compare to where I live? |
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Years 3 & 4 |
How and why is my local environment changing? |
How can we live more sustainably? |
Why are jungles so wet and deserts so dry? |
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Years 5 & 6 |
How is climate change affecting the world? |
Why is fair trade fair? |
Who are Britain’s National Parks for? |
Impact
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children begin to explore their immediate environment and the wider world. They talk about places, people and features of their surroundings, developing early geographical language and awareness.
In Key Stage 1, pupils develop an understanding of their local area and the wider world. They use simple geographical vocabulary to describe places and features, and begin to use basic map skills.
In Key Stage 2, pupils build on these foundations and develop a deeper understanding of geographical concepts. They study a wider range of places, including regions of the UK and the wider world, and make comparisons between locations. Pupils use maps, atlases and digital mapping with increasing accuracy and develop their fieldwork skills.
Across the school, pupils develop a secure understanding of places, environments and human and physical features. They build on prior learning over time and make links between areas of study. Pupils use subject-specific vocabulary with increasing accuracy and are able to explain their understanding clearly.
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils have the knowledge and skills needed to continue their study of Geography at Key Stage 3.