Geography: Intent, Implementation and Impact

INTENT

At Smallthorne Primary Academy, Geography inspires pupils to develop a deep curiosity and understanding of the world and their place within it. As a key driver within our Character & Arts Curriculum, Geography enables pupils to explore the relationships between people, places and environments while developing the knowledge and skills needed to think critically about the world around them.

Our Geography curriculum is designed to ensure that pupils develop secure knowledge of locational geography, place knowledge, human and physical geography and geographical skills, in line with the National Curriculum. Through engaging enquiries and meaningful learning experiences, pupils explore how environments change, how societies interact with their surroundings and how human decisions impact the planet.

We aim for pupils to become thoughtful and responsible global citizens who understand the diversity of cultures, landscapes and communities across the world.

Our Geography curriculum ensures pupils:

• Develop secure knowledge of local, national and global geography
• Understand key physical processes such as rivers, mountains, climate and natural environments
• Understand human geography, including settlements, trade, land use and economic activity
• Develop strong locational knowledge using maps, globes and digital mapping tools
• Use geographical vocabulary accurately to describe and explain places and processes
• Understand the impact of human activity on the environment and sustainability
• Develop curiosity, resilience and collaboration through geographical enquiry

Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and accessible for all learners, including those with SEND, through clear modelling, visual support and carefully sequenced knowledge.

Character & Arts Alignment

Geography plays a significant role within the Smallthorne Character & Arts curriculum, supporting pupils’ personal development alongside their academic learning.

Geography contributes to the Character & Arts strands by enabling pupils to:

• Heritage – understand the geography of their local area and the history of the Potteries and surrounding communities
• History – explore how geographical features and resources have influenced historical events and human settlement
• Performing & Expressive Arts – communicate geographical understanding through creative approaches such as art, storytelling and presentation
• Sustainability – explore environmental responsibility, climate awareness and the importance of protecting natural resources
• Enterprise – understand how geography influences trade, industry and economic development

Through Geography, pupils develop respect for diversity, appreciation for the natural world and a sense of responsibility for the planet.

IMPLEMENTATION

Our Geography curriculum is delivered through carefully sequenced units of learning that build knowledge and skills progressively from Year 1 to Year 6.

Topics are structured to ensure pupils revisit key concepts and develop increasing depth of understanding over time.

Curriculum Structure

Geography teaching focuses on four key areas of learning:

Locational Knowledge
• Understanding where places are and how they relate to one another
• Using maps, globes and atlases to identify countries, continents and oceans

Place Knowledge
• Studying the characteristics of different locations and comparing environments

Human and Physical Geography
• Understanding natural processes such as climate, rivers and mountains
• Exploring human features such as settlements, transport, trade and land use

Geographical Skills and Fieldwork
• Using maps, aerial images and digital mapping tools
• Collecting and interpreting data
• Conducting fieldwork in the local environment

Learning begins with the local area and community before expanding to national and global contexts, enabling pupils to connect geographical knowledge with their own experiences.

Enquiry-Based Learning

Geography lessons are built around investigative questions, encouraging pupils to explore geographical ideas through observation, analysis and discussion.

Pupils learn to:

• ask geographical questions
• interpret maps, data and images
• draw conclusions based on evidence
• communicate findings using geographical vocabulary

This enquiry-based approach supports deeper thinking and develops pupils’ ability to analyse geographical information.

Fieldwork and Local Geography

Fieldwork is an important part of Geography learning. Pupils explore the local area to:

• observe geographical features
• collect and record data
• develop mapping and observation skills
• understand how geography influences their local community

These experiences help pupils make meaningful connections between classroom learning and the real world.

Cross-Curricular Learning

Geography learning is enriched through links with other subjects.

Pupils may explore geographical themes through:

• Art and design, representing landscapes and environments
• English, writing reports, explanations and persuasive texts
• Science, exploring climate and environmental change
• Mathematics, interpreting geographical data and measurements

Creative approaches help pupils deepen understanding while maintaining strong disciplinary geography.

Inclusion and Adaptive Teaching

All pupils are supported to access Geography learning through:

• visual resources and maps
• practical, hands-on learning experiences
• structured discussion and collaborative enquiry
• scaffolded tasks and vocabulary support

This ensures pupils with SEND, EAL or additional needs can participate fully and develop geographical understanding.

IMPACT

By the time pupils leave Smallthorne Primary Academy, they will:

• Demonstrate secure knowledge of physical and human geography
• Understand how places and environments are connected locally and globally
• Use maps, atlases and digital tools confidently to investigate geographical questions
• Communicate geographical ideas clearly using appropriate vocabulary
• Show curiosity and enthusiasm for learning about the world
• Understand the importance of environmental responsibility and sustainability

Measuring Impact

The impact of the Geography curriculum is evaluated through:

• pupil work and geographical outcomes
• curriculum monitoring and book scrutiny
• fieldwork evidence and enquiry outcomes
• pupil voice demonstrating curiosity and engagement
• assessment of geographical knowledge and skills progression

Through this approach, pupils develop both geographical knowledge and the character to use that knowledge responsibly, preparing them to participate thoughtfully in a diverse and changing world.