Geography is all about equipping children with the knowledge and skills they need to understand, explore and appreciate the world around them. We want to inspire in children a natural curiosity and love for both the natural and human aspects of the world. Our broad, balanced and diverse Geography curriculum makes many links to the local environment. Opportunities are provided for children to experience diverse places, people and resources; learn how to navigate the world both locally and globally; understand the significance of human impact on Earth, as well as ongoing natural processes; and importantly, for children to understand their own place in the world. 

Both Geography and History form the basis of year groups’ termly topics and so strong links are made across subjects, particularly with English, to ensure high-quality writing.  

By the end of KS1, all children will be able to:

·       Develop knowledge about the world, United Kingdom and their locality

·       Understand subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography

·       Begin to use geographical skills (including first-hand observation) to enhance their locational awareness.

By the end of KS2, all children will be able to:

·       Extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the UK and Europe, North and South America.

·       Develop understanding of the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features.

·       Develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge 

Teachers ensure there is progression in knowledge and skills by using our Progression document, which sets out the objectives taught in each year group. At the core of our Geography curriculum are the geographical skills that children will learn in each unit.  In KS1, children begin to map their immediate locality, using basic skills. By the end of KS2, children are using a variety of maps to analyse features and issues in a variety of localities.  Where possible, localities are returned to throughout the school, allowing for children to embed their learning in their long-term memory.  As with History, links are made to our local area, allowing children to develop knowledge of Bristol and the surrounding areas. We support geographical fieldwork skills with trips to local sites of interest, including the immediate school environment, local green spaces and further afield in Somerset and the South West. This allows children to put their learning into action, making the learning meaningful and memorable.