Statement of Intent

At St. Leonard's C of E Primary School, a high-quality geography education inspires children to develop curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Teaching equips them 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. As they progress, our children's growing knowledge about their local/wider area and different areas of the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the framework and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

Geography Useful Information

Do you want to know what your child will be learning in Geography?

Below you will find a copy of our Geography policy which will give you an idea of what we are aiming to achieve in Geography at St. Leonard's. You will also find a copy of our long term curriculum map. In our school, we follow a two year rolling programme (as we have mixed age classes). This ensures that children have full coverage of the National Curriculum and do not repeat any topics/learning.

We follow the Kapow Primary Geography scheme to support and enhance our planning and teaching of the Geography curriculum. The scheme organises the Geography attainment targets under four strands:

• Locational knowledge
• Place knowledge
• Human and physical geography
• Geographical skills and fieldwork

Our teaching of Geography follows a spiral curriculum, with essential knowledge and skills revisited with increasing complexity - this allows pupils to revise and build on their previous learning. Locational knowledge, in particular, will be reviewed in each unit to coincide with our belief that this will consolidate children’s understanding of key concepts, such as scale and place, in Geography.

Whilst in Geography lessons we are focusing on 'Geography' skills we also expect children to apply their English and Maths skills and in other contexts.

If you have any Geography related questions please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Cooke who leads on Geography in our school. 

office@st-leonards-wigginton.staffs.sch.uk

Development Areas for 2025-2026

In Geography this year we have three key focus areas for improvement:

- To ensure the new subject leader has the knowledge, skills and understanding to be able to carry out the role effectively.

- To embed sustainability within the geography curriculum so that pupils understand how human activity impacts the environment and can take informed action to care for the planet. 

- To embed the use of key geographical language across the school (ongoing target from last year). 

Below are some ideas of how to support your child's interest and learning in geography at home:

• Map Local Walks: Draw maps of the route to school or the local area, labelling features like roads, shops, and parks.
• Create Map Keys: Design maps of bedrooms, homes, or gardens, using symbols and keys to develop spatial awareness.
• Urban Fieldwork: Conduct a "land use survey" in the neighborhood, using a clipboard to classify buildings or count traffic
• Google Earth: Use digital mapping to explore the world, zoom into their house, or visit distant locations virtually
• Ask Open Questions: Encourage curiosity by asking, "Why is that river there?" or "What might the weather be like in this picture?".
• Focus on Features: Identify both physical (hills, streams) and human (roads, houses) features, allowing them to compare their local area to others.
• Document Findings: Encourage recording observations through sketches, tally charts, or taking photographs during walks. 
• Holidays: Use maps and brochures when planning trips, exploring landmarks, and understanding different climates.
• Global Citizenship: Discuss food origins or news stories from different countries to foster an understanding of their place in the world.
• Model Making: Create 3D models of landscapes or maps in a sandbox or using household materials

Sustainability

Built into our Geography curriculum are sustainability lessons, but each year we also celebrate 'Earth Day'. This year it was on 22nd April and the whole school came together to raise awareness of the need to protect God's wonderful world.

The morning started with an assembly where we shared the importance of Earth Day and ways in which we can help to look after our planet. Our Eco Council did a wonderful presentation on the things they've done over the last few years to help, details of which you can find on their page on the school website, the link to which is below. 

During the morning, each class took part in an English lesson, a maths lesson and a geography lesson - all to teach the children about the important of sustainability and how we can make a difference. The day resulted in the wonderful display you can see below.