Lakefield Church of England Primary and Nursery

At Lakefield Church of England Primary School, our intent is to give every child a broad and balanced geography curriculum which enables them to confidently explore and discover what is around them, so that they have a deeper understanding of the world we live in. Our aim is to provide stimulating and challenging experiences that help every child secure and extend their geographical knowledge and vocabulary, as well as promoting a love and thirst for learning. At Lakefield, we have a coherently planned and sequenced curriculum which has been carefully designed and developed with the needs of every child at the centre of what we do. We want to equip our children with not only the minimum statutory requirements of the geography National Curriculum but to prepare them for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of later life.

The Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum supports children’s understanding of geography, people and communities through the planning and teaching of ‘Understanding the World’. Geography is effectively taught through their wider curriculum lessons and through their enhanced learning provision and environment.  Children learn about features of their own environment such as school, home, community and their area through first-hand experiences and learn how environments may differ through the sharing of books, stories, poems, small world play, role play and visits. Children enjoy the valuable experiences gained from our regular trips to places within their local community. Children are given time to discuss, comment and ask questions about what they observe about the world around them and are encouraged to be active learners and explore their interests further.

At Lakefield, Geography topics are taught within each year group in accordance with the National Curriculum.

• Topics are blocked to allow children to focus on developing their knowledge and skills, studying each topic in depth.
• Every year group will build upon the learning from prior year groups therefore developing depth of understanding and progression of skills and knowledge.
• Teachers promote enjoyment and foster interest of the geographical disciplines
• To support children in their ability to ‘know more and remember more’ there are opportunities to review the learning taken place in previous topics as well as previous lessons.
• At the start of each topic children will review previous learning and will have the opportunity to share what they already know about a current topic
• Children are given a knowledge organiser at the start of each topic which details some key Geography Curriculum Statement information and vocabulary. 
• Effective CPD opportunities are available to staff to ensure elevated levels of confidence and knowledge are maintained.  These include accessing the National college and Geographical Association. The subject lead subscribes, via the school, to the GA
• To support teaching, teachers access a range of resources and planning. The main body of planning is provided but adapted by the Teacher to make the curriculum a Lakefield curriculum ensuring our drivers are present throughout.
• Effective use of education visits and visitors are planned, to enrich and enhance the pupil’s learning experiences within the Geography curriculum.
• Teachers use highly effective assessment for learning in each lesson to ensure misconceptions are highlighted and addressed.
• Effective modelling by teachers ensures that children are able to achieve their learning intention, with misconceptions addressed.
• Through using a range of assessment tools, differentiation is facilitated by teachers, to ensure that each pupil can access the Geography curriculum.