GEOGRAPHY POLICY
Introduction
The aim of our Geography curriculum at The Colleton is to give our pupils knowledge and understanding of their local environment and the world around them. We use local field studies to teach skills; helping the children gain a sense of identity.
What other subject tells us so much about the great issues of our age – global change, natural and human?
Professor Andrew Goudie, University of Oxford.
Objectives:
- To provoke and answer questions about the natural and human world.
- To develop knowledge of places and environments throughout the world.
- To inspire pupils to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.
- To focus on understanding and resolving issues about the environment and sustainable development.
- To develop important and relevant links between the natural and social sciences and other curriculum subjects.
Teaching Methods
Our scheme of work will follow the National Curriculum programme of study for primary geography and include units of work adapted from the QCA scheme of work for Key Stages 1 and 2. (see appendix 1 and 2)
Geography will be taught within The Colleton Primary School’s Rolling Programme to enable cross-curricular themes to be developed at all times. The teaching of places will be based around the five basic questions for primary geography using all available resources creatively and making learning interactive and interesting.
The Five Basic Questions for Primary Geography
Michael Storm.
- What is this place like?
Where is this place? - Why is this place as it is?
- How is this place connected to other places?
- How is this place changing?
- What would it feel like to be in this place?
Planning
All planning will be in line with school policy and add detail to our Rolling Programme using NC programmes of study, QCA units of work and additional resources. Planning will also highlight the cross-curricular links made with other subject areas.
Assessment
Evidence of attainment will be made through:-
Observation of children at work
Questioning and listening
Assessing written work
Involving pupils in assessing/evaluating their own work
Level descriptions and expectations
By the end of Key Stage 1, most children will be able to:
- describe the main features of localities and recognise their similarities and differences;
- recognise where things are and why they are as they are;
- recognise changes in the environment of localities and how people affect that environment;
- find out, and express views, about people, places and environments by asking and answering questions, and by using their own observations and other geographical skills and resources.
By the end of Key Stage 2, most children will be able to:
- explain the physical and human characteristics of places and their similarities and differences, and know the location of significant places and environments in the UK, Europe and the world.
- explain patterns of physical and human features and recognise how selected physical and human processes can cause changes in the character of places and environments;
- describe how people can damage and improve the environment and recognise how and why people may seek to manage environments sustainably;
- undertake geographical enquiry by asking and responding to questions, identifying and explaining different views, and using a range of geographical skills, resources and their own observations.
Record Keeping
Records of assessment and achievement will be in line with school policy.
Resources
Geography resources available are filed and cross-referenced in the Team Resource File. These include maps, posters, videos, slides, worksheets, globes and artefacts.
The library contains a variety of books and atlases relating to the units of work; However use will be made of the Berkshire Library service in order to borrow relevant topic boxes during the appropriate term.
Every effort will be made to incorporate the local environment into our geographical study and invite guests to speak. Increasing use of ICT will be made to support and enhance units of work eg. Use of the Internet for research and E-mail links with people in distant places.
Cross- curricular links
Through the Rolling Programme relevant cross-curricular links with this and other curriculum subjects will be maintained and developed. Geography will make an important contribution to English, mathematics, science, history, Outdoor Adventurous Activity and ICT. Where possible other links with curriculum subjects will be used. In addition, geography has as important role to play in developing thinking skills and our PMSE (Personal, moral, social educational) programme, especially when tackling environmental and sustainable development issues.
Health and Safety
Health and safety is paramount in all that we do. Risk assessments are undertaken for all activities whilst activities involving fieldwork or off-site visits comply with our Health and safety policy.
Equal Opportunities
At The Colleton we provide a broad and balanced curriculum for all our pupils
All pupils will have equal access to the geography curriculum in line with their individual needs. We will
- set suitable learning challenges;
- respond to pupils’ diverse learning needs;
- endeavour to overcome potential barriers to learning and assessment for individuals and groups of pupils;
Please refer to our Special Educational Needs Policy, Able Child Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy