INTENT

At Creswell Junior School it is our intention that Geography will inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Through fieldwork and practical activities pupils will develop a better understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human features and processes. We aim to explore diverse places, people and resources and promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. We will raise pupils awareness of environmental issues at a local, regional and global level which will foster a greater understanding of their place in the world and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.

Through the teaching of Geography at Creswell Junior School we will:-

• Develop an age-appropriate knowledge of significant places and their global location.
• Use the locality as a valuable learning resource to explore geographical processes.
• Encourage pupils to discuss how physical and human geography bring about change to the landscape over time.
• Encourage pupils to commit to sustainable development.
• Develop pupils’ graphic skills, including how to use, draw and interpret maps.
• Use appropriate key geographical vocabulary accurately.
• Develop a variety of skills, including those in relation to problem-solving, ICT and presenting conclusions in an appropriate and creative way. 

IMPLEMENTATION

Our Geography lessons are based around an initial ‘big question’ which provides the opportunity for the children to lead their own lines of geographic enquiry and record their findings in a variety of ways.

Geography is taught discretely using the Rising Stars scheme of work. Alongside classroom based activities we feel that Field work is a key part of our Geography curriculum as it allows pupils to apply their geographical skills in real-life settings.

In Year 3 the children learn about Climate & Weather, Our World and Coasts. The Year 4 children study The Americas, Rivers & the Water Cycle and Earthquakes & Volcanoes. In Year 5 they learn about Changes in our Local Environment, The Alpine Region and ask the question: - Where do our Clothes come from? Year 6 children study The Amazon, Global Warming and Climate Change and think about what our world will be like in the future.

Throughout Key Stage 2 the children investigate their local area and contrasting areas around the world, finding out about the environment and the people who live there. Progression will be assessed through question and answer sessions, an end of unit assessment and through evaluation of their written work.

IMPACT

Through our geography lessons, pupils should learn key vocabulary and be able to apply their geographical skills to a range of geographical enquiries. Specific skills will have been developed including:

· Interpreting maps, atlases and globes

· Identifying geographical features

· Formulating questions and developing research

· Consider the use of four and six figure grid references and ordinance survey map