St James' Church of England Primary School

At St James' Church of England Primary School, we recognise the importance of teaching geography.

Geography helps children make sense of the world around them and stimulates their curiosity relating to places and people around them and in the wider world. Geography engages pupils in their world, including physical and human issues - which may spur them into action! We recognise the importance of practical experiences which bring geography to life and make it fun to learn. Children have many opportunities to experience geography through fieldwork.

"A high-quality geography education should inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. ... equip[ping] pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes."

National Curriculum, DfE 2014

There are many jobs that young geographers may aspire to, including: climate change analyst, geography teacher, geomorphologist, meteorologist, surveyor, town planner, landscape architect, gardener, tree surgeon, cartographer, politician and many more!

Link to our Geography Policy.

Link to our Geography curriculum overview 2021-2022.

EYFS

Geography learning includes:

Knowing that there are different countries in the world and talking about the differences they have experienced (or seen in photos); talking about what they see, using a wide vocabulary; and beginning to understand the need to respect and care for the natural environment and all living things.

Year 1

Geography learning includes:

Using simple maps, finding out about the countries of the UK, learning about the weather, looking at the local geography including the human and physical aspects of where they live.

Year 2

Geography learning includes:

Using maps, aerial photographs and compass points; naming and finding out about the seven continents and the oceans of the world; weather around the world and a 'snapshot' of the human and physical features of specific countries (UK, Uganda, Siberia and India)

Year 3

Geography learning includes:

Using maps (including Silver Springs orienteering) and globes, finding out all about Europe - with a specific focus on France, examine settlement and land use in the Paris Basin, use the eight points on a compass and understand similarities and differences in settlements (Ashton - Paris); begin to use OS map symbols

Year 4

Geography learning includes:

Locate the world's countries and their physical features using atlas' and maps; examine some of the human and physical features of the UK including major mountains and rivers; use the eight points of a compass; examine the effect of water pollution - which includes participating in fieldwork relating to the River Irwell

Year 5

Geography learning includes:

Locate the world's countries using atlas' and maps; learn about living in an extreme environment (e.g. near volcanoes, an earthquake belt); examine biomes; consider some of the causes and effects of climate change that result in extreme weather; examine how time zones work

Year 6

Geography learning includes:

Use maps, atlas', globes and digital sources for mapping; identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, equator and the tropics; learn about South America and The Amazon Basin; consider the future consequences of climate issues such as global warming; use the eight points of a compass, grid references, symbols and keys - including OS map symbols