Geography
History or Geography adaptation guidance
Introduction
In Geography at Hill View Primary Academy, children develop their curiosity and fascination about the world around them and they are inspired to think about the world beyond their place in it. They develop their knowledge of people and places, to understand the physical, social and economic forces which have shaped and continue to affect those places and the lives of the people who live there.
The children learn to use maps at different scales in order to locate cities, countries, mountain ranges, rivers, seas and oceans. They use a variety of sources such as atlases, photos and the internet, to explore the people, environment and economics of the countries they study. We will study local areas through fieldwork to inform the children’s understanding of geographical phenomena. Children extend these studies into the wider world, studying diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes.
Principles and Geography Intent:
At Hill View, we aim to develop children who aspire to become informed global citizens with a strong understanding of local, national and international geography. We provide a high-quality geography education that encourages curiosity, enquiry and a lifelong fascination with the world and its people.
Our curriculum develops children's understanding of:
- Human and physical geography
- The United Kingdom and the local area
- The wider world and its continents
- Place knowledge
- Geographical skills
We believe that every child should experience a broad, balanced and enriching geography curriculum that enables them to experience success and develop an appreciation of the world around them. Through an enquiry-based approach, children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate answers and strive for excellence in their learning.
We want our pupils to trust in the knowledge and experiences they gain and to communicate their understanding confidently within the school and wider community.
Our curriculum is carefully designed around the National Curriculum and meets the needs of all learners, regardless of starting point or ability. It builds upon prior learning and celebrates the unique strengths and talents of every child. Through this approach, children develop secure knowledge, understanding and skills while being exposed to a diverse range of geographical perspectives.
Geography Whole School Overview
Geography vocabulary & Key Knowledge
Enabling Access for All Learners
To ensure all children can access and succeed within our Geography curriculum, we provide:
- A carefully structured curriculum that places learning within meaningful contexts.
- Regular retrieval activities and flashbacks to revisit prior learning and address misconceptions.
- Thoughtfully adapted learning experiences that support children from their individual starting points.
Curriculum Features
Our Geography curriculum provides children with opportunities to:
- Engage in high-quality geographical enquiry.
- Develop and apply geographical knowledge and vocabulary.
- Use a range of geographical sources, including maps, atlases, photographs and digital resources.
- Investigate and compare places, environments and geographical processes.
- Build upon prior learning through regular retrieval practice and planned curriculum sequencing.
Breadth, Balance and Progression
Throughout their geography learning journey, children make connections between substantive knowledge (what they know) and disciplinary knowledge (how geographers work). Explicit retrieval activities at the start of lessons help children recall previous learning and strengthen long-term memory.
Learning is carefully sequenced to ensure knowledge and skills build progressively across year groups, enabling children to deepen their understanding and make meaningful connections.
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Geography forms part of the Understanding the World area of learning. Children develop geographical awareness through play, exploration, discussion and practical experiences that help them make sense of the world around them.
Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2
The Geography curriculum at Hill View fully reflects the requirements of the National Curriculum for England. Children study a broad range of geographical knowledge and skills throughout Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.
Key concepts and skills are revisited across different year groups to strengthen understanding and support long-term retention. As children progress through the school, learning becomes increasingly challenging and builds upon previous experiences and knowledge.
Teaching and Learning
At Hill View, Geography is taught during the Autumn, Spring and Summer terms, allowing regular opportunities for children to revisit and deepen their learning. Through carefully planned lessons, children develop their geographical knowledge, vocabulary and understanding of the world around them.
Our engaging curriculum combines enjoyment with academic rigour, ensuring children know more, remember more and make meaningful connections within their geographical learning. Teachers encourage children to ask questions, investigate the world around them and develop their geographical thinking skills.
Our curriculum has been designed and continually refined by experienced teachers to ensure the highest quality provision. Pupil voice demonstrates that children enjoy developing their knowledge of the world and deepening their understanding of geographical concepts and processes.
Through Geography, children develop:
- Curiosity and enquiry
- Collaboration and communication
- Creativity and independence
- Emotional intelligence
- Critical thinking
- Spiritual awareness and reflection
Assessment and Outcomes
Children's geographical knowledge and skills are assessed continuously through:
- Teacher observation
- Class discussions
- Peer discussions
- Written work
- Teacher-pupil dialogue
Teachers assess pupils' understanding throughout lessons through discussion, questioning, retrieval practice and recorded work. Assessment information is used to identify misconceptions, monitor progress and inform future teaching.
Pupil voice also plays an important role in assessment. Children are regularly asked to reflect on their learning, identify what helps them learn effectively and explain the connections they have made across different geographical topics. They are encouraged to recall learning from previous units and year groups, supporting long-term retention of knowledge and skills.
Impact
At Hill View, our children can confidently articulate:
- What Geography is.
- Why Geography is important.
- What they are currently learning.
- How their learning connects to prior knowledge.
- How Geography helps them understand people, places and environments at a local, national and global scale.
Through our Geography curriculum, children leave Hill View as knowledgeable, curious and responsible global citizens who are prepared for the next stage of their education and for life in an increasingly interconnected world.
Resources
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects
An educational website with information, videos and interactive quizzes.
www.seterra.com
Map quizzes and games. Available in 36 different languages!
World Geography Games
Geography games for children about maps and continents, countries, states, capital cities, flags.