Geography @ ACE

At Arundel Church of England Primary School, we want our Geography learning to inspire pupils’ curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Teaching should equip pupils with a strong sense of place along with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with an understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We want the children to understand the impact that people have on the environment and develop respect for the world and people around them:

To develop contextual knowledge of the local area and the location of globally significant places including the physical and human characteristics.
To understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world and how these cause variation and change over time.

To develop key geographical skills needed to:

Collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork.
Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing.

We recognise the importance of balancing the core knowledge that children need as Geographers, with a ‘Sense of Place’ which allows them to engage emotionally; sharing their opinions, thoughts, and feelings on a range of issues and enquiries undertaken across a variety of scales. Our knowledge and skills progression are underpinned by the National Curriculum.

Linked to our school Christian values and curriculum vision, our Geography lessons allow the children to engage and develop their understanding of equality in the wider world and to show kindness to their environment and peers when discussing social and moral issues. We want our children to have courage to explore and learn key skills for geographical knowledge and enquiry and to be resilient whilst investigating moral and ethical issues in their own locality as well as the rest of the world.

By subject lead - Mr A Simpson

Spiritual, Moral, Social & Cultural Development (SMSC) Geography

We strive to ensure that SMSC is at the forefront of our Geography lessons, providing a rich cultural experience whereby the children enjoy learning about themselves and their surrounding environment, as well as that of others and the changing world around them. Our children make a difference in the local community, educating themselves and others on issues and facts about their environment. Our Geography teaching and lessons provide children with the chance to exercise responsibility and initiative; working independently and cooperatively through interaction with peers and adults to deepen their understanding of geographical knowledge, skills, culture and to celebrate diversity.

Through well planned lessons, children can recognise and understand contrasting localities, processes of cultural development and immerse themselves into other cultures. By learning the skills of communicating geographically, they develop their understanding of what it means to live in a multicultural society.

At ACE, we strive for our children to be in awe and wonder of the natural world - to question ‘why?’, explore, enjoy, and be fascinated with the world around us.

Implementation - how we teach it

At ACE, the children will experience geography through standalone units and linked lessons to ensure coverage, and deepened knowledge and understanding of the subject. This in turn will promote the children’s geographical knowledge and skills to form opinions, act and be drivers of change as global citizens.

Through Geography, our children think analytically, take responsibility and see beyond their own horizon.
Through Geography, our children know more, remember more and do more.
Through Geography, our children have the opportunity to grow spiritually, to be resilient and challenge themselves and each other in order to succeed together.
Through Geography, our children are encouraged to be courageous advocates who challenge inequalities in society and are able to articulate spiritual and ethical issues.

Progression Grid

Geography progression