Geography
“Geographical understanding supports children in becoming more socially and environmentally accountable, as well as helping them to become more responsible citizens. Our vision at Langney Primary Academy is for pupils to develop a curiosity as well as a responsibility for the world in which they live.”
GEOGRAPHY INTENT
GEOGRAPHY VISION
The Langney Primary Academy Geography curriculum links to the school’s overarching vision for each of its subjects by ensuring:
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Curriculum innovation and teaching pedagogy in Geography is at the forefront of education.
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Langney Primary Academy is a Centre of Excellence in Geography with the highest standard of teaching.
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Talent discovery of pupils showing aptitude in Geography is harnessed and opportunities provided to enrich and challenge.
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There is a balance between high standards (excellence) and enjoyment for the subject.
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Life chances and career aspirations are raised.
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Health and Wellbeing is endorsed.
INNOVATION IN
GEOGRAPHY
BEING A CENTRE OF
EXCELLENCE IN
GEOGRAPHY
INNOVATION IN GEOGRAPHY
At Langney, our intention for Geography teaching is to keep it as relevant to our pupils as we can. Outdoor learning opportunities play a part in achieving this, using our immediate local environment e.g. the school grounds, The Historic Langney Priory grounds, marshlands, harbour, seashore.
Our geography teaching is well served by accessible graphic learning technologies such as Google Earth, Google Maps, OS Maps and geographic information systems; which motivate and enable children to enhance their understanding of places and environments. The use of virtual reality is invaluable in bringing the world to our children at Langney and broadening their horizons. Similarly green screens open the world to children and give them a sense of places they may never visit but of which they can become aware and begin to appreciate.
BEING A CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IN GEOGRAPHY
Based on the National Curriculum Programme of Study and in order to help children make connections in learning, links are made to other subjects in our curriculum such as Science, Art, English, R.E. via our topic approach. We also provide opportunities for developing and applying literacy and mathematics in our geography teaching.
The children are given hands-on educational experiences of the world around them. Emphasis is placed on developing enquiry skills, whilst teaching the knowledge and understanding of each unit of study. Furthermore, Langney gives children access to regular outdoor learning experiences in our locality.
TALENT DISCOVERY
OF PUPILS IN
GEOGRAPHY
TALENT DISCOVERY OF PUPILS IN GEOGRAPHY
Outdoor fieldwork gives the children an opportunity to excel in a new and exciting environment. The ‘Geography Gems’, who are a selected group of children tackling different environmental causes on behalf of the school, will give certain children the chance to shine in a Geographical context.
A BALANCE BETWEEN EXCELLENCE (STANDARDS) AND ENJOYMENT IN
GEOGRAPHY
A BALANCE BETWEEN EXCELLENCE AND ENJOYMENT IN GEOGRAPHY
Geography is often the umbrella topic which gives teachers capacity to make tangible and effective connections across subjects. Termly topics are often based on geographical themes.
Pupils develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness. Pupils are taught:
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locational knowledge;
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place knowledge;
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human and physical geography;
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geographical skills and fieldwork.
Curriculum design evidences clear progression of learning with each of the above strands, starting with children’s immediate local experiences and progressing to locational / place knowledge that is more abstract or further afield. Human and Physical Geography is intrinsically linked to expected place knowledge for each year (e.g. rivers, waterfalls, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, climate zones, biomes/vegetation belts linked to regions of South America).
In addition to knowledge (locational, place, human and physical features), the curriculum is balanced with the teaching of geographical skills and fieldwork. Children are enthused through a geographical enquiry based approach and varied experiences of online, outdoor learning, fieldwork and interactive experiences.
RAISING ASPIRATIONS & LIFE CHANCES IN
GEOGRAPHY
RAISING ASPIRATIONS & LIFE CHANCES IN GEOGRAPHY
We intend that through the teaching of Geography, children can also broaden their moral horizons to include the environment. The pupils at Langney Primary Academy will physically experience and learn about many parts of the world, including our locality, which will undoubtedly raise aspirations.
As part of the school’s Careers and Aspirations Programme, children are introduced to careers in geography ranging from journalism and law to weather forecasting and architecture.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING LINKS TO
GEOGRAPHY
HEALTH & WELLBEING IN GEOGRAPHY
Geography’s distinct contribution to our pupils’ health and wellbeing is that it teaches essential knowledge about the world and their own place, contributes to their personal development and examines important questions and issues that are essential for informed citizenship.
Children’s personal geographies – individual to each child – are compared, contrasted and brought together through collaboration to provide insight into the diverse nature, variety and lives of the communities in a school’s catchment area and beyond. This involves the consideration of resolutions for potential issues (linking with social, moral, spiritual and cultural (SMSC) education), and encourages expression through writing, debating and persuasion.
GEOGRAPHY IMPLEMENTATION - How Geography is Planned, Taught & Assessed
To view our full Gepgraphy Implementation document, please click this link.
GEOGRAPHY END OF YEAR EXPECTATIONS
To view our full Geography End of Year Expectations document, please click this link.