Geography

At Bishop Martin, we aim to develop children's knowledge of the world and inspire a curiostiy that runs throughout their school life. We teach children about people and places that are diverse and develop their understanding about how the Earth works.

Following our INSPIRE Curriculum, we carefully shape our Geography curriculum to ensure that it develops children's curiosity and fascination about the world and it's diverse communities. The ambition is for children to ask questions about what they have learned and deepen their understanding of the Earth's key physical and human processes. Knowledge Organisers for each topic can be found on class pages to support children's learning at home.

Throughout the curriculum, knowledge is built on and developed from their understanding of the local area, human and physical georgraphy and the impact of humanity on our world. The development of this knowledge can then be applied to fieldwork, which deepens their understanding of geographical processes. Fieldwork and residentials provide opportunities for pupils to experience alternative landscapes and apply their learning.

 

Our geographical journey

In EYFS, children are naturally curious about the world around them and are keen to learn more about what they may see every day. Allowing children to explore geography in their own self-led way supports this development. We introduce geographical knowledge, concepts and skils to our children in Key Stage 1, before building and expanding on these in more depth in Key Stage 2 whilst gradually incorporating digital literacy and developing global competency skills.

 

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In Key Stage 2, we are following the Opening Worlds humanities programme. This is currently being implemented in Years 3, 4 and 5, and will then be rolled out in the subsequent years until it is implemented from Year 3 through to Year 6. Over the next two years, all of Key Stage 2 will be following this approach.

Opening Worlds is a knowledge-rich humanities programme for teaching history and geography where the uniqueness and background of every child is recognise and valued. Because of this, Opening Worlds covers a range of cultural, historical and ethical backgrounds and offers purposeful and meaningful experiences to apply, share and develop this knowledge . Our diverse, culturally rich, wide-scoping and rigorous/coherent curriculum is underpinned by the teaching of basic skills, knowledge, concepts and values in a rigorous and coherent way. Explicit links to story telling and creativity are made to ensure children to engage and enthuse learners.  Many enhancement and enrichment activities are used throughout the curriculum to engage learners and create purposeful, high leverage outcomes that give children the opportunity to use and apply their developing knowledge and skills. Our aim is to create an environment that prompts curiosity, critical thinking and allows learners to connect strands of learning across all aspects of the curriculum.

For further information, please see the Opening Worlds Rationale below or visit their website here.

 

Excitingly, we have recently achieved the Primary Geography Quality Mark. This showcased the great work we have done over the last few years in developing and shaping our curriculum.

 

Here are some helpful websites you can access at home for free!

BBC Geography - a wealth of information, including video clips, to support children's understanding of Geography in Key Stage 2.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zbkw2hv

Ordnance Survey Mapzone - here you'll find games, trivia quizzes and help with map skills, plus you can delve into some fascinating topics about the world around you and find out how geography is evident in our day-to-day lives.

https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/

 

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