Geography
We follow the National Curriculum requirements for Geography.
At Winstanley Primary School we shape our geography curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive to every child. Our aims are to fulfill the requirements of the National Curriculum for Geography; providing a broad, balanced and adapted curriculum; ensuring the progressive development of geographical concepts, knowledge and skills; and for the children to develop a love for geography.
From the early years we want to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. The geography curriculum will equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.
Through their work in Geography, children learn about their local area, and they compare their life in this area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to read, draw and interpret maps, and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human Geography, children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates children to find out about the physical world, and enables them to recognise the importance of sustainable development for the future of mankind.
Children are taught either geography or history each week. Teachers incorporate opportunities to assess prior learning and frequent pauses to recap on knowledge and vocabulary taught to date. They plan to revisit topics already taught at a later point in the year – ensuring that children are knowing more, remembering more and understanding more.
Diversity
Geography is open to all children, of whatever age, gender, ethnic origin, ability and social background because it engages children in real questions, issues and problems, and is concerned with the real world and real people within it. Cultural diversity is explored and celebrated through studies of other countries and cultures.
Nursery and reception pupils
At Winstanley pupils are guided to make sense of the physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. Staff members ask open-ended questions and challenge pupils to re-examine and extend their understanding of the world. Pupils’ personal interests are used as a basis to develop and extend their skills and knowledge by relating learning intentions to pupils’ own life experiences. Parents are invited to update staff in school with their child’s current interests and fascinations each term.
Enrichment
Each year children have opportunities to enhance their personal development through engaging in organised field work linked to their topic. Field work trips help children to focus on the similarities and differences between where we live and other areas of the UK. Our recent opportunities have included:
Local environment walks
Low Bank Ground residential
Liverpool visit and ferry across the Mersey
Southport
London residential
Assessment
At the end of each topic, children are assessed against their understanding and knowledge of the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum. Our aim being to ensure that children at Winstanley are equipped with geographical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world
How can I help my child at home?
Know your local area – explore it with your children.
Talk to your child about people, places and environments have time to answer their questions.
Point out the range of maps that we can use to help us unravel the mystery of places. Be map collectors – in places that you visit that give out free maps – shopping centres – country parks town centres – museums etc. Read and explore them with your children – that’s where we went.
Let older children investigate route maps and help them to plan the route places that you visit. If you use public transport, talk about types of transport – where they might be going.
Join the public library with your child – go regularly – choose exciting books about people and places – sometimes you can meet the author and listen to them tell stories.
Go to the art gallery to really look at paintings of places, people and environments such as the work of Lowry and of Monet.
Look at the food items that you are purchasing – note where they come from – look for the countries together in an atlas at home, or on Internet maps
Go for a walk in a local wood or forest – at different times of the year – spring time or autumn (leaf kicking time). Seasonality is a very important pattern in their lives.
Watch the weather forecast – even better listen to different radio channel forecasts. Did they get it right? Watch items on dramatic world weather events.
Talk about topic issues highlighted by news programmes such as News Round.
Links
The BBC Bitesize websites link to videos, games and information a wide range of geographical knowledge:
National Geographic for Kids
https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/
The Royal Geographical Society has also published a wealth of resources to help parents: