Geography

Geography at Kilmersdon aims to challenge, engage and enthuse pupils about places, people and relationship with environments across the world as well as an understanding of the physical properties of the Earth's surface. 

Children are taught the four main areas of the National Curriculum: Locational Knowledge, Place Knowledge, Human and Physical Geography and Geographical Skills and Fieldwork through three Geography-led topics a year.

Geography is taught through topics in a logical sequence using Oddizzi Schemes of Work to support progression of skills and knowledge from lesson to lesson, term to term and year to year; curriculum breadth; and coverage of the National Curriculum.  Children accumulate knowledge as they progress, for example, in Year 1's local area study which ensures children learn basic geographical knowledge, vocabulary and skills through concrete experience with a familiar place.  This allows them to make meaningful comparisons with the  Zambian locality of Mugumareno Village in Year 2 and then broaden this into regional studies of North and South America, Europe and UK thus giving children an understanding of a varied places across the world.

EYFS

Children in the Early Years learn foundational concepts and vocabulary as part of ‘Understanding the World’ which will help them with Geography in Key Stage One and beyond. These early geography skills form an integral part of their daily lives throughout EYFS, starting with a sense of belonging to the school community. Once the children have familiarised themselves with the classroom and our own EYFS outdoor area we explore the school grounds, looking at the different areas and features. They have access to continuous provision areas - small world, construction and exploration, which are regularly enhanced with resources to support development of geographical skills, knowledge and understanding. Contrasting localities are brought to life through stories; the children explore these in group work and play, also locating them on maps and globes and ‘travelling’ in their role play.  Children are encouraged to share their own and family experiences of places far and near. This provides opportunities to look at how places and environments are similar or differ from one another. There is a strong emphasis on teaching and learning about equality to help children form positive attitudes about diversity.