The Georgraphy curriculum offer follows the national curriculum in KS1 and KS2 and the EYFS Statutory Framework and Development Matters in the early years. The Geography curriculum is ambitious and designed to give all learners, particularly the most disadvantaged and those with special educational needs, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. Where required, pedagogy is adapted so that all pupils including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND are on the same knowledge journey towards the same endpoints.

Our curriculum is carefully weighted with equal priority given to both substantive knowledge (locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography and geographical skills and fieldwork) and disciplinary knowledge (how to work like a geographer). Clearly defined substantive knowledge end points are identified at the end of the unit and disciplinary knowledge end points at the end of each key stage. Components (building blocks) are carefully sequenced so new knowledge builds on what has been previously taught and leads to the end points.

Key concepts for example ‘population, ‘climate’ and ‘settlement’ are covered and repeated throughout the curriculum. Vocabulary is also taught explicitly in every lesson. Key words and concepts are mapped out in the VOCUS document. There are also opportunities for developing reading in geography.

In early years and KS1 plans are written following the end points and key concepts. This leads into the Pearsons’ curriculum which is taught in KS2. This is enhanced with additional mapping tasks to practise key geographical mapping skills, such as using grid references. Links are also made to prior concepts to help the children know and remember more.

Review and retrieval is a key part of every lesson. Quick quizzes and knowledge organisers are used to support this.

Our inclusive, diverse curriculum is supported through additional extra-curricular focuses on events such as woodland learning and structured fieldwork opportunities.

National Curriculum:  

Geography National Curriculum Programme of Study

Yearly Overview 

Geography

For further information on our curriculum intent, implementation and impact, please see our curriculum page.

 

Links between National Curriculum and Early Years

REMAT EYFS and National Curriculum Progression Links

Geography Curriculum

 

Some examples of the Geography learning at Croxteth. 

Key substantive knowledge is identified for each topic. Throughout all topics; map, fieldwork and disciplinary knowledge is developed.

Autumn Term

Nursery – All About Me

In this topic children will:

• Know common types of weather- e.g  rain, sunny, windy,  etc
• Know that families come from other countries in the world and identify some similarities and differences.  E,g housing, clothing, weather etc
• Know similarities and differences between families and communities and associated vocabulary e.g. Diwali, Easter, Christmas, Eid

Reception – Me and My World and Autumn

In this topic children will:

• Know and use vocabulary linked with the weather e.g. wind, windy, cloud, cloudy, rain, raining, snow, snowing, temperature, hot, cold, icy, wet, dry, temperature
• Know the effect of autumn on the natural world around them and know associated vocabulary e.g leaves changing colour, animals gathering food, animals hibernating
• Know the name of the village/city and country they live in.
• Identify and name different landmarks in my local area e.g post office, newsagent, library

Enrichment: Exploration of school grounds and local area

 

Year 1 – Local: Maps (including fieldwork)

In this topic, children will:

• Know some human and physical features in the local area.
• Draw a simple route in our local area, adding human and physical features .
• Know that maps show information about places.
• Know how to use directional and locational knowledge, including near, far, left and right.

Year 2 – Food

In this topic, children will:

• Know where food comes from, including the ocean and seas, ports, farms, harbour, shop, factory.
• Know that farms produce products that end up in our shops.
• Know that climate affects where food comes from.
• Know that some food is imported from different countries.

Year 3 – Cities, Towns and Villages

In this topic, children will:

• Know the term ‘settlement’ and know differences between villages, towns and cities
• Know at least one advantage and disadvantage of a settlement
• Give examples of land use in a city

Year 4 – Rivers

In this topic, children will:

• Locate local rivers and major world rivers on a map
• Know some physical features found along a river’s course
• Know why rivers are important to people.

Year 5 – Slums

In this topic, children will:

• Know the term ‘slum’ and know why they form
• Know examples of challenges faced by those who live in slums
• Know examples of how slums can be improved

Year 6 – Population

In this topic, children will:

• Know differences in population between places
• Know reasons why population can change over time
• Know an example of a population challenge

Spring Term

 

Nursery – People who help us

The children in Nursery have learnt about ‘people who help us’. They have had visits from important members of the community. The children have enjoyed role playing the different roles within the community. They have also been on a walk in the local area as well as visits from the police and fire service. 

    

Reception – It’s Cold Outside

The children in Reception have been exploring the winter weather. They have also looked at cold countries around the world, such as Antartica and Alaska. They have thought about what clothes they would need to take if they were to visit a cold country and what animals they might meet.
Year 1 – Weather 

In this topic, children will:

• Know that the United Kingdom is made up of four smaller countries: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and identify them on a UK map.
• Know the names of the seas and oceans surrounding the United Kingdom.
• Know how to observe and record the weather

Year 2 – Comparing Countries of the UK, including coasts

In this topic, children will:

• Know the names of the four countries of the UK and their capital cities, including some characteristics.
• Know that the UK is surrounded by The North Sea, The English Channel, The Irish Sea and The Atlantic Ocean.
• Know some human and physical features in a town, village and city using aerial photographs.
• Compare the human and physical geography of a local urban and rural location.

Year 3 – Mountains, Volcanoes and Earthquakes

In this topic, children will:

• Know the structure of Earth: inner core, outer core, mantle, crust
• Know how tectonic plates create fold mountains and/or earthquakes
• Give examples of the impact of an earthquake and/or volcanic eruptions

Year 4 – Migration

In this topic, children will:

• Know the push and pull factors why people migrate
• Know at least one advantage and one disadvantage of migration
• Know what a refugee is.

Year 5 – Biomes

In this topic, children will:

• Know the features of a specific climate zone e.g. arctic, temperate or tropical
• Know how biomes are characterised by climate, fauna and flora, inc the relevance of lines of latitude
• Know examples of human activity that affect biomes.

Year 6 – Globalisation

In this topic, children will:

• Define sustainability
• Know examples of renewable and non-renewable energy sources
• Know how some cities are tackling sustainability

Summer Term

Nursery 

The children in nursery have been developing their understanding of the world and how changes happen over time. The children planted beans and watched them grow. They learned that there are lots of ecological elements which need to work together to make their plant grow. The children know their plant needs soil, water, air and sun to thrive. They have made observations of their plants through descriptions and drawings as well as comparing their lengths.

 

Reception – How do we look after our environment?  

The children in Reception have explored a range of local environments, the animals that live there and how to look after them.

Year 1 – Hot and Cold Places

In this topic, children will:

• Know the names of the 7 continents and identify them on a world map.
• Use simple fieldwork and observational skills to record the temperatures around their school.
• Know directional vocabulary, including North, South, East and West to locate places on a school plan.
• Know the position of the equator and the North and South poles.
• Know some human and physical features of the Arctic and Antarctic.

Year 2 – Comparing Locations

In this topic, children will:

• Know the features of a non-European country (Australia)
• Name the 5 oceans and identify them on a world map
• Know the geographical location of Australia (southern hemisphere)
• Know the geographical location of the UK (northern hemisphere)
• Know some of the human and physical features of Australia.
• Know that people travel to visit different countries for a range of reasons.

Year 3 – Water, Weather and Climate

In this topic, children will:

• Know the difference between weather and climate
• Know the water cycle
• Know why we have seasons

Year 4 – Natural Resources

In this topic, children will:

• Give examples of natural resources
• Know how population affects the use of natural resources
• Know how a circular economy can help the planet

Year 5 – Energy and Sustainability 

In this topic, children will:

• Define sustainability
• Know examples of renewable and non-renewable energy sources
• Know how some cities are tackling sustainability

Year 6 – Local Fieldwork

In this topic, children will:

• Know what geography fieldwork is
• Know why geographers do fieldwork
• Know some ways that geographers do fieldwork.
• Know some fieldwork techniques that can be used when studying human and physical features in their local area.