Geography

Intent

At Nutley CE Primary we teach geographical knowledge, understanding and skills; our children learn about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments. We aim to ensure they have a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We also intend for our children to take on responsibility as global citizens and do what they can to care for our world and its people.

Implementation

A series of geography lessons are taught at least three times a year which link to the term’s learning journey. Teachers use our progression map to plan lessons that not only ensure that children are building on knowledge and skills (e.g. mapping and fieldwork), but also provide challenge and opportunities for courageous advocacy and geographical enquiry. Our concept-driven curriculum ensures that the children’s learning is relevant and children are encouraged to ask and answer questions. We use the natural landscapes around us (for example, Cuckmere Haven and The Ashdown Forest) to develop the children’s knowledge, skills and understanding, as well as to inspire debate. We work with a local organisation, Education in Ashdown Forest, to provide the opportunity for our older children to carry out conservation work.

Year 1 and 2:

name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans
name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas
understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country Human and physical geography
identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles
use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to: key physical features (beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather) and key human features (city, town, village, factory, farm, house, office, port, harbour and shop)
use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the countries, continents and oceans studied at this key stage
use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language to describe the location of features and routes on a map
use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key
use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.

Year 3 and 4:

locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities
name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time
identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)
understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, a region in a European country, and a region within North or South America
describe and understand key aspects of: physical geography (climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle) and human geography (types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water) use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.

Year 5 and 6:

children deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments
locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities
name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time
identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)
understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, a region in a European country, and a region within North or South America
describe and understand key aspects of: physical geography (climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle) and human geography (types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water) use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied
use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies

Impact

At Nutley CE Primary we aim to inspire in pupils a life-long curiosity about the world and its people as well as a desire to promote sustainability and conserve our planet for future generations. Children understand that the world is ever-changing and that geography is a relevant and evolving subject in today’s word.

Click here to see the Progression in Geography.