At Woodcote Primary School, we aspire to give children a high-quality geographical education. Our intent is to inspire pupils to become fascinated and curious about the world and its people. As geographers, they will be able to develop their knowledge of significant places and locations, locally, nationally and globally. We aim to engage and inspire pupils through exciting units of study, creating an environment in which they can thrive from their learning and the challenges it produces. 

Geography in EYFS (Woodies & Reception)

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), geography skills are taught through Knowledge and Understanding of the World. Pupils identify, observe, discuss and investigate features in the place they live and the natural world.

Geography in KS1 (Years 1 & 2) and KS2 (Years 3 – 6)

Geography is taught through the IPC scheme which enables children to approach learning by developing the knowledge, skills and understanding necessary to confidently face the world of tomorrow. Through the IPC units, teaching equips pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and both natural and human environments.

We have successfully integrated the IPC with the National Curriculum to ensure our pupils meet statutory requirements in a creative and stimulating way. When planning for the IPC, teachers adapt the units of work to create termly topics that are inclusive and relevant to our pupil’s everyday lives and cater to their specific interests. Through IPC units, students will-

• 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 and globes
• communicate geographical information in a variety of ways
• Know that the study of geography concerns the interaction of people and their environments, including the economic, social and political factors and how they impact on people and the environment.
• Gain knowledge through feeding their curiosity about places and the people who live there and by asking increasingly complex geographical questions
• Gain an understanding of the relationship between where we live on earth and the impact on lifestyle, considering climate, economics, society and the environment. Learners will also develop an understanding of their own responsibility to contribute to the resolution of geographical and environmental issues.

The learning journey through the topic starts with an ‘Entry Point’, which is followed by a development of skills and knowledge from a range of curriculum areas. Learning is applied through an ‘Exit Point’ at the end of each topic where children can demonstrate and apply their knowledge and skills. Teachers will organise high-quality learning experiences within a topic giving the children opportunities to build upon their skills across the year.

The curriculum integrates with the National Curriculum, ensuring students meet statutory requirements creatively.The national curriculum for geography aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes
• 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 that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
• 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.

Trips and Experiences in Geography

We want the children to see Geography not just as written resources, maps and atlases, but as a way of exploring the amazing things around them. Wherever possible, our Geography curriculum is creative and enhanced by trips and visitors, as these bring the curriculum alive to our children and create lifelong memorable experiences.