Geography at Sir John Heron

“Together We Learn. Together We Achieve” is embedded into all elements of school life and learning at Sir John Heron Primary including in the geography curriculum and lessons. Geography is an important part of the school’s broad and balanced curriculum. We believe it is important all children have access to a coherently sequenced geography curriculum which is relevant to their needs and interests and equips children with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their next stage of education and prepares them for life in modern 21^st century Britain.

We aim to provide a high-quality geography education that will inspire pupils to have a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our teaching equips 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.

Through their work in geography, children learn about their local area and compare their life in this area with that in other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. Children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving. Planning is in line with the 2014 National Curriculum so that all the geography objectives are being implemented within both the teaching and learning of geography.

In geography we aim to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places both terrestrial and marine.

• Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time.
• Are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
  • collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork.
  • Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • Communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

• Are provided with a range of geographical experiences, both in and out of the classroom, which encourage children to build interest and enjoyment, knowledge, understanding and confidence.
• Develop their geographical vocabulary and a range of skills and apply them in an increasing range of situations to carry out geographical enquiry and to interpret geographical information.
• Become familiar with their own surroundings and extend their interest, knowledge and understanding of contrasting localities in Britain, Europe and the wider world.
• Adopt an enquiring approach to the world around them, developing in their ability to formulate appropriate questions, research, handle data and draw conclusions.
• Appreciate similarity and difference in the world around them, having empathy for the lives of others and respect for others’ beliefs, attitudes and values.
• Enhance their sense of responsibility for the care of the earth and its people.
• Develop a simple understanding of environmental sustainability and how they can be actively involved in living as sustainably as possible.