Geography
Intent
At Brandesburton Primary School, our Geography curriculum inspires pupils to develop curiosity about the world and their place within it.
As a small rural village school, many pupils have limited daily exposure to large cities, diverse communities and global industries. Our curriculum therefore broadens pupils’ understanding beyond their immediate environment through a near-to-far approach.
Pupils first explore their local area before expanding their understanding to regional, national and global scales.
Through the key concepts of Place, Space, Scale, Human and Physical Processes and Interdependence, pupils learn how environments are shaped and how people interact with the world around them.
Our local environment plays a central role. Regular fieldwork and local walks allow pupils to investigate geographical features first-hand, collect data and develop map skills.
By the end of primary school, pupils develop secure geographical knowledge and the confidence to think like geographers.
Implementation
Geography begins in EYFS through Understanding the World, where children explore their immediate environment and develop early geographical vocabulary.
Geography is taught weekly for half of each term, allowing sustained study while revisiting prior learning.
The curriculum progresses from:
- local studies in EYFS and KS1
- national and global studies in KS2
Key knowledge such as continents, oceans and map skills is revisited regularly to strengthen understanding.
Fieldwork is embedded throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to collect and interpret geographical data.
Pupils learn to use maps, diagrams and digital tools to communicate their geographical understanding.
Impact
Pupils develop secure geographical knowledge and confidently use geographical vocabulary.
They can explain how physical and human processes shape environments and understand connections between places at different scales.
Through enquiry and fieldwork, pupils become thoughtful geographers who demonstrate curiosity and respect for diverse places, cultures and environments.
