Orchard Park Community Primary School

Geography

Intent

At Orchard Park Community Primary School pupils will develop a deep understanding of human and physical geography. As members of a new and developing community, our pupils will have a deepened understanding of the constantly changing profile of their own locality and the impact this change has on the environment. As citizens of Cambridge, pupils need to understand its importance and significance in the world of education and industry. Pupils will be empowered by a rich understanding of contrasting places, people and environments directly reflecting the diverse heritage of our whole school population.

From the start of their learning journey, pupils will develop expertise in their local area from Orchard Park to North Cambridge and onto the rest of Cambridge City and the county. This will extend their curiosity, motivating them to seek knowledge and understanding of the wider world and their place within it.

The geography curriculum enables our pupils to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas which can and are used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development which can then be applied through the next stage of their education and beyond.

Implementation

Geography at Orchard Park is taught through our topics over the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. Teachers have identified the key knowledge and skills of each topic and consideration has been given to ensure progression across topics is in place so that knowledge based learning continues as children develop through the whole school.

At the beginning of each topic, children are able to convey what they know already as well as what they would like to find out. This informs the programme of study and also ensures that lessons are relevant and take account of children’s different starting points.

Consideration is given to how greater depth will be taught, learnt and demonstrated within each lesson, as well as how learners will be supported in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.

The local area is fully utilised to achieve the desired outcomes, with extensive opportunities for learning outside the classroom embedded in practice.

Impact

Outcomes in topic books evidence a broad and balanced geography curriculum and demonstrate children’s acquisition of identified key knowledge. Children review their successes in achieving the lesson objectives at the end of every session. As children progress throughout the school, they develop a deep knowledge, understanding and appreciation of their local area and its place within the wider geographical context.

Geographical understanding, as well as children’s spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is further supported through the school’s topic-based curriculum. Children are also able to learn about careers related to geography from members of the local and wider community through visitors to the school and children accessing the local amenities.

Termly knowledge organisers will help review the children’s learning of Geography topics and support children with relevant information which will be developed further in subsequent year groups.