Great Dunmow

Geography

‘To strive for excellence in learning and all that we do’

Intent

The intention of the Geography Curriculum at Great Dunmow Primary School is to inspire children’s curiosity and interest of the world. We intend to instil in our pupils a desire to achieve through developing long lasting knowledge and understanding, and geographical skills that develop as they progress through the school. Our curriculum is broad, balanced and memorable though our Wow Days, and reflects the guidance of the National Curriculum. Our curriculum is inclusive and we allow our teachers to differentiate where necessary through, for example, in class support, providing different learning environments and alternative learning activities. Through our thorough and sequenced teaching of our geography curriculum, we ultimately intend to ignite a love of learning to enable them to gain a greater understanding and knowledge of the world and their place within it.

Implementation

In order to foster children’s curiosity about the world, we are enthusiastic about Geography and teach with an enquiry focused approach. This develops our pupils as young geographers as they not only build subject knowledge and understanding but become increasingly good at critical thinking and using specialised geographical vocabulary.

• Geography should be taught three times each year, once each term to ensure continued coverage and growth of skills.
• At Great Dunmow Primary School, we start each lesson briefly revisiting the previous learning and discussing new vocabulary that will be met and introduced. Only in this way will knowledge become embedded and ‘sticky’ and ensure that our pupils can build on what they know and understand from one year to the next.
• We provide varied and differentiated ways for pupils to record the outcomes of their work including the use of PowerPoint, concept mapping, annotated diagrams and discussions. This work is recorded within books or marked with stickers.
• Our Teachers are encouraged to consider opportunities available to use the school grounds and the local area for fieldwork to enable children to base learning on first hand experiences to enhance teaching and learning in Geography.
• Geography is taught in Reception as an integral part of the topic work; they follow the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, developing the children’s ‘Understanding the World’ through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places and the environment.

Impact

The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children at Great Dunmow Primary School are equipped with key geographical skills. The children are able to progress with 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. We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about geography, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future.

Mrs S. Naylor – Geography Lead

Geography Overview