Intent
In Geography, our intent is for the curriculum to promote a curiosity about our planet and to enable our pupils to become lights to the world. We will support our learners to develop skills that are transferable across all subjects, skills that will equip them for further study and employment. Learners will develop a greater understanding of their world and their place in it, on local, national and global scales via a focus on case studies. Pupils will develop their global awareness and be encouraged to hold a deep rooted respect for the environment. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops an understanding of a wide range of concepts, knowledge and skills. We seek to inspire in learners a curiosity and fascination about their world, contrasting environments and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Whilst promoting a pupil’s interest and understanding about: diverse places; people; natural and human environments; together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Learners will fully understand the relationships between the human and physical environment. The geography curriculum is a journey designed to help pupils make sense of the world around them.
Learners will learn to appreciate the differences and similarities between people’s views of the world, its environments, societies and cultures and develop their responsibilities as global citizens. In a world where the future is uncertain, we aim to develop pupils to recognise how they can contribute to a future that is both sustainable and inclusive; by fostering an understanding of the interdependency between the physical and human environment through a curriculum that is both rigorous and challenging.
“Geography is a subject which holds the key to our future”
Michael Palin
Implementation
At Our Lady and St Chad, Geography is taught at key stages three to five, being taught at both GCSE and A Level; where students have the chance to build transferable knowledge and skills. At key stage three; years seven, eight and nine, students have one lesson per week. Students start by gaining a depth of understanding about the skills and variety of topics within geography. Students then have two lessons per week at GCSE and four lessons per week at A Level.
We have developed five curriculum end points. We looked at our eleven domains and grouped them accordingly, to come up with five logical end points that are now mapped across all key stages.
- To understand that a variety of physical and human factors shape the concept of place.
- To conduct an independent fieldwork investigation that combines a variety of geographical, fieldwork and statistical skills.
- Understanding of physical processes and environments and how they function at different scales.
- Understanding of human processes and environments and how they function at different scales over time.
- Understanding of environmental interactions between the physical and human worlds and their interdependence with a focus on sustainability.
Students are offered an extensive range of opportunities outside of the classroom to embed their geographical knowledge in practice with trips across the West Midlands and further afield in the UK.
The geography curriculum is designed to be organic, progressive and regularly updated. Geography is not a static discipline, and therefore an evolving curriculum is essential. The curriculum is under constant collaborative review by staff who have an extensive range of subject knowledge and experience. We consider how students best learn and implement a range of activities to engage and bring geography to life, but to also equip students with the skills they will need now and for the future. We emphasize and prioritise the literacy, scientific and mathematical-based element. The learners will learn how to ‘think like a geographer’ and develop the ability to think critically and synoptically across the discipline; whilst developing the ability to problem solve and achieve literacy and mathematical fluency throughout the subject.
Impact
In Geography at Our Lady and St Chad, our passionate and supportive staff go above and beyond to ensure sustained progress and positive outcomes for our students. We offer time both inside and outside the classroom to support our students and provide them with all they require to succeed. As a department we regularly reflect and enact to ensure students are always getting the best education possible. We ensure the curriculum offers students a chance to see sequential learning in terms of both knowledge and skills. Students will leave with an understanding of the world around them and their place within, as well as the skills they can apply in their next steps. Outcomes are regularly monitored to ensure they reflect our intentions. To ensure our students truly know what it is ‘to think like a geographer’ and be a light in our world today.
Progression Map
Please view the additional documents in school:
- Curriculum on a page
- Knowledge Organisers
