Geography
Geography
Intent
At Bryn Offa CE Primary School, our Geography curriculum aims to develop curious, informed and responsible global citizens who understand the world around them and their place within it. We want pupils to explore the diversity of people, places and environments, and to appreciate the interconnections between physical and human processes.
Our intent is to:
- Build cumulative knowledge and skills so pupils can apply geographical understanding in real contexts.
- Foster awe and wonder about the natural world, encouraging respect for living things and the environment.
- Promote independence, collaboration and creativity, with pupils as active partners in enquiry.
- Ensure equal access and high expectations for all, with appropriate challenge and support.
- Equip pupils with cultural capital through experiences that broaden horizons and deepen understanding of local, national and global geography.
Through a coherently sequenced curriculum, pupils will develop:
- Locational knowledge (continents, countries, regions, cities).
- Place knowledge (contrasting localities in the UK and worldwide).
- Human and physical geography (climate, landforms, settlement, trade, sustainability).
- Geographical skills (mapwork, fieldwork, data interpretation, digital mapping).
Implementation
Our Geography curriculum follows the National Curriculum and is delivered through:
- EYFS & KS1: A two-year rolling programme introducing simple maps, local area studies, and basic human/physical features. EYFS mirrors KS1 themes through play-based exploration and outdoor learning.
- KS2: A four-year cycle ensuring breadth and depth across UK, European and world geography, revisiting key concepts and skills progressively.
Pedagogical approach:
- A blend of explicit instruction, enquiry-based learning, oracy, and collaborative problem-solving.
- Use of knowledge organisers, tiered vocabulary, and visual resources to support independence.
- Fieldwork and outdoor learning (including Forest School links) to provide authentic contexts.
- Digital tools (Google Earth, GIS apps) to enhance spatial awareness.
- Visits and visitors to enrich learning and connect classroom knowledge to real-world experiences.
- Cross-curricular links with Science, History and PSHE to deepen understanding of sustainability and global responsibility.
Inclusion and equity:
- Adaptive scaffolds (visual prompts, sentence stems, pre-teaching vocabulary).
- Challenge through open-ended enquiry and comparative analysis.
Impact
We measure impact through:
- Pupil progress in locational knowledge, place knowledge, and geographical skills.
- Confident use of geographical vocabulary in speech and writing.
- Engagement and attitudes—curiosity, resilience, independence and collaboration.
- Readiness for next steps, including transition to secondary geography.
- Inclusion outcomes, ensuring all pupils, including those with SEND, make strong personal progress.
By the time pupils leave Bryn Offa, they will:
- Have secure knowledge of the UK and wider world, including key physical and human features.
- Understand how environments and societies are interconnected and the importance of sustainability.
- Be able to use maps, atlases, and digital tools confidently.
- Ask and answer enquiry questions, using evidence to explain patterns and processes.
- Appreciate the diversity of cultures and landscapes, fostering respect and responsibility as global citizens.
Useful Websites
https://world-geography-games.com/
Progression in Geography