Geography
Let's think, read and write like a Geographer!
Statement of Intent - What do we intend to do?
The intention of the Geography curriculum at Finchale Primary School is to inspire pupils to be curious about their world and to engage them in outdoor learning and geographical enquiry. By the end of Y6, we want our pupils to be secondary ready by providing them with the skills and attitudes to enable them to become competent geographers. Our curriculum has been sequenced to enable pupils to gradually widen their sense of scale from their immediate geography to the global. In KS1 children will begin by looking at the local environment before moving on to study and compare the wider world, reflecting our school’s link with Mozambique. In lower KS2, children explore the United Kingdom with a focus on the North-East, before moving on to study Europe, with a focus on the Bay of Naples. In upper KS2, pupils will look at the world on a global scale, including studying how the landscape is shaped by both the environment and by peoples’ actions. This will build on our links with Mozambique and will include making comparisons with Sao Paulo. Throughout KS1 and KS2, map and fieldwork knowledge is developed through a series of fieldwork enquiries.
Click the link below to view our curriculum map!
Sharing our Geography Homework - Year 5 November 2019
What a fantastic set of homework! I am so impressed by the high quality, imaginative and informative work Year 5 have produced. From 3D models, interactive models, PowerPoints and posters to a geography calendar, we have been treated to a wide range of information. As part of their homework, pupils are also sharing the work they have produced with the rest of the class. Each presentation we have heard so far has been clear and of a high quality. Everyone has learned a great wealth of information.
Finchale's Geography News Group - Weekly Update
What is going on in the world?
National Curriculum Coverage for Geography
Geography is about understanding the world by: comparing locations; investigating; researching different sources; writing and talking about places; asking and answering questions.
Geography in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
It may seem strange to think about your 3 or 4 year old child as a geographer. However, the years from birth to age five provide a first opportunity to see how your child interacts with their environment — and how the environment influences them. The early learning goals at EYFS aim to guide your child onto make sense of their physical world and their community by exploring, observing, and finding out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Geography at Key Stage 1
In Years 1 and 2, your child will be asked to begin to develop a geographical vocabulary by learning about where they live, as well as one other small area of the United Kingdom and a small area in a contrasting non-European country. They will learn about weather patterns in the United Kingdom and hot and cold areas of the world. They will use ICT, world maps, atlases and globes, simple compass directions, aerial photographs and plans, as well as simple fieldwork and observational skills.
Geography at Key Stage 2
In Years 3 to 6, the Geography curriculum retains some flexibility, and builds and expands on previous knowledge. There are three focus areas:
- Locational knowledge
- Place knowledge
- Human and physical geography
Locational knowledge examines latitude, longitude and time zones. Your child will use maps to focus on Europe, North and South America, concentrating on regions, key physical / human characteristics, countries, and major cities. They will also work on locating the counties and cities of the United Kingdom, and start to explore their human and physical characteristics.
Children also examine geographical similarities and differences by comparing the geography of a region of the United Kingdom with a region in a European country, and with a region in either North or South America. This is part of the place knowledge aspect of the curriculum.
For human and physical geography, your child will be taught to describe and understand key aspects of geography, for example: climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, the water cycle, types of settlement, economic activity and the distribution of natural resources.
Parent Information
How to support your child with Geography
The curriculum content may appear daunting, but don’t panic — you are already an accomplished geographer! Your daily life constantly provides you with rich geographical experiences, information and understanding. You think and act geographically, often without realising it. It comes naturally … as you navigate your way around your home and neighbourhood; as you make sense of local and world news; as you respond to the weather forecast, as you decide on a holiday location and how to get there.
When out and about in your local area, you can help your child geographically by chatting about local physical features, attractions and activities. You might even like to develop this idea by asking them to provide a tourist guide for their local area for visiting relatives.
On a journey, you can share the road map or map phone app with your son or daughter so they can follow the route while you talk about where you are going. Alternatively, ask them to draw a map of their journey to school or the local shop, including any natural or man-made features along the way.
Holidays are an ideal opportunity to compare the location with their home area — you might ask your child to talk through five similarities and differences, for example. Holidays also provide an opportunity for a museum visit or a trip to a tourist attraction.
Closer to home, use anything at your disposal! Magazines, TV, films and even some computer games can provide your child with a view of distant places. They enable your child to be transported instantly to another place. Prompt their thinking with questions, such as: What might the weather be like in this place? Why might the road have been built where it is? The list of questions is endless and will lead to all sorts of discussions which will really help to develop curiosity about, and understanding of, the world.
Further support and useful websites
The BBC Bitesize websites link to videos, games and information a wide range of geographical knowledge:
The Geographical Association is the leading organisation supporting geographical teacher in the UK. Their resources are available at:
The Royal Geographical Society has also published a wealth of resources to help teachers and parents: