Geography

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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 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. 

The four key concepts: space, place, earth systems and environment alongside the five organising concepts time, scale, diversity, interconnection and interpretation have been used to shape the geography curriculum to ensure breadth and depth. Key threads running though these concepts are then built upon, such as 'sustainability', 'climate’ and 'settlement' and repeated throughout the curriculum. Vocabulary is also taught explicitly in every lesson and reading opportunities further develop the children's understanding.

In early years and KS1 plans are written following the end points and key concepts documents. This leads into the Pearsons' curriculum which is taught in KS2. This is enhanced through additional mapping tasks to practise key geographical mapping skills, such as using grid references. These skills are further applied and developed though our carefully developed fieldwork opportunities. 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 pupils represent an urban area of Wirral and this is reflected through an inclusive, diverse curriculum which is supported through additional extra-curricular focuses on events such as woodland learning and structured fieldwork opportunities.

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

 

The Geography curriculum is set out in the Geography End Points document.

 

 

Geography Curriculum 

Some examples of the Geography learning at Townfield. 

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 vocab 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, fanimals 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, St Saviours church, hairdressers, pedestrian crossing

Enrichment: Exploration of school grounds and local area

        

 

Year 1 - Local: Maps (including fieldwork)

In this topic, children will:

• Know what some human and physical features are and identify some examples in the school grounds and local area.
• Know a range of fieldwork skills *see endpoints document.

Year 1 - Woodland Learning: Navigation and Orienteering 

In this topic, children will:

• Devise a simple map.
• Use basic symbols in a key.
• Follow simple directional language

 

Year 2 - Food

In this topic, children will:

• Know that the four countries of the UK have large rural areas of farmland which benefits urban areas.
• Know that farms in the UK produce products that end up in our shops.
• Know that food is grown in different countries and continents around the world.
• Know that oceans are a major source of food for the entire world.
• Know that climate affects where food comes from.

 

Year 2 - Woodland Learning: Navigation and Orienteering 

In this topic, children will:

• Devise a simple map.
• Orientate a map with support.
• Navigate around a simple obstacle course

 

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 3 - Woodland Learning: Navigation and Orienteering 

In this topic, children will:

• Begin to recognise OS symbols.
• Complete a simple orienteering activity.

 

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 4 - Woodland Learning:  Navigation and Orienteering 

In this topic, children will:

• Recignise features and OS symbols on a map.
• To build trust with a partner when navigating around a simple orienteering course.

 

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 5 - Woodland Learning: Navigation and Orienteering 

In this topic, children will:

• Orientate a map when following a course.
• Recognise and locate relevant OS symbols.
• Develop their confidence in map reading.

 

 

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

Year 6 - Woodland Learning: Navigation and Orienteering 

• Creating their own obstacle course using OS symbols.
• Orientate a map.
• Use symbols in a Key.

 

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 including Mr Perry, who helps us at school, Mr Clayton who drives trains and Mr & Mrs Wilson who are Doctors. 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 1 - Woodland Learning : Navigation and Orienteering 

In this topic, children will:

• To describe position, direction and movement, including the 4 points of the compass.
• To recognise human and physical features.
• Recignise human and physical features
• To describe the location of features and routes on a map.

Year 2 - Comapring 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 2 - Woodland Learning : Navigation and Orienteering 

In this topic, children will:

• To describe position, direction and movement,
• To describe the location of human and physical features and routes on a map.
• Divise a simple map.

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 3 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• To use and apply the four points of the compass.
• To navigate around a simple orienteering course.
• Complete a simple orienteering activity in pairs

 

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 4 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

•  Use the eight points of the compass 
• Complete a simple orienteering activity in pairs.
• Build trust with a partner and work together when orienteering.

 

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 5 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Use the 8 points of the compass.
• Develop simple orienteering skills.

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

Year 6 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Use the 8 points of the compass.
• Demonstrate effective use of the 8 points of the compass and navigate around a simple orienteering course

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 learnt 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.

Nursery - Woodland Learning

This term the children in Nursery have been following instaructions to find hidden objects in the woodland area, using directional language.

 

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.

Reception - Woodland Learning

This term the children in Reception have been hiding natural objects and directing a partner to the locations using directional language, including the use of left and right.

 

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.
• Know directional vocabulary, including North, South, East and West to locate places on the world map.
• Know the position of the equator and the North and South poles.
• Know the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles.
• Know some human and physical features of hot and cold places around the world.
• know what the effect of living in a hot or cold place has on life there e.g. clothing, transport, animals who live there, homes.

 Year 1 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Demonstrate understanding of the concept of a basic map.
• Orientate a map with support.
• Develop their place knowledge of the local area.

Year 2 - Comparing Locations

In this topic, children will:

• Know the human and physical features of Australia.
• Know the names of the 7 continents and 5 oceans and identify them on a world map.
• Know the geographical location of the Uk and  Australia on a world map.
• Know the similarities and differences between an urban area in Merseyside (UK) and Sydney (Australia).
• Know the similarities and differences between a rural area in Merseyside (UK) and the outback in Australia.
• Know that Australia has a hot climate due to its close proximity to the Equator.

Year 2 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Understand how to orientate the map.
• Navigate your way around a simple orienteering course
• To develop their place knowledge of the local area and UK.

 

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 3 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Complete a simple orienteering activity in groups, such as ‘star’ orienteering.
• Understand how to orientate the map.

 

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 4 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Understand how to orientate the map.
• Build trust with a partner and work together when orienteering.
• Complete a simple rienteering activity in pairs / groups, such as ‘star’ orienteering.

 

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 5 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Develop the orienteering skills of orientating a map, following a course.
• Understanding of the relationship between pacing and distance.
• Improve confidence in map reading and the transfer of information from map to ground.

 

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.

Year 6 - Woodland Learning

In this topic, children will:

• Be able to take a bearing from a map and use that bearing to find a control point.
• Combine map reading and compass points.
• To to navigate around a scatter orienteering course.