Geography

Geography Intent, Implementation and Impact

Subject Lead: Mrs Dixon

Intent 

Geography is fundamental in everyday life and, with this is mind, the purpose of Geography at Sheldwich Primary School is for all children to develop an ability to solve problems, reason, think logically and to work systematically and accurately. All children are challenged and encouraged to excel in Geography.
New geographical concepts are introduced using a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach; enabling all children to experience hands-on learning when discovering new geographical topics.
Geographical skills are practised regularly at Sheldwich Primary School to ensure key geographical concepts are embedded and children can recall this information to see the links and make connections between topics in Geography. 

Implementation 

Geography is taught in a series of carefully sequenced lessons so that the children can develop depth in their learning and acquire a range of skills and knowledge so that they are all successful geographers.  

• Lessons are taught following the National Curriculum.  

• Children are taught in a mixed ability year group with every child learning fluency, reasoning skills and problem solving through whole class teaching and independent activities.  
• Lessons use a concrete, pictorial and abstract approach to guide children through their understanding of geographical processes.  
• Children are taught using a range of models, books, maps, photos,
  globes, ICT and field work to aid their understanding of concepts.  
• Lessons are structured so that children are taught basic geographical skills and develop these in their long-term memories.  
• Children self-select their level of ability for independent activities and tasks.  

• A range of pre-teaching occurs to help instill confidence in those children who find new geographical concepts challenging.  
• All children have the opportunity to reach enrichment activities in order to deepen their understanding.  
• Home Learning is given to develop, review and further embed children's geography learning.  
• Where possible, links are made with other subjects across the curriculum. 

Impact 

As a result of our teaching you will see: 

• Engaged children who are all challenged. 
• Confident children who can all talk about geography and their learning and the links between geographical
  topics. 

• Lessons that use a variety of resources to support learning and add challenge. 
• Different representations of geographical concepts. 
• Learning that is tracked and monitored to ensure all children make at least good progress.  

Assessment 

Teacher assessment forms the basis of Geography assessment at Sheldwich Primary School. Teachers are expected to mark each lesson and record children who have achieved particularly well, and those who require additional support. Teachers assess formatively through the use of verbal questioning, observations of children whilst participating in investigations and practical activities, as well as through their marking of children’s work in their books. As a result ofthis, teachers are highly skilled at adapting their planning to meet the needs of their children. The assessment of children in Geography is noted termly on the schoolwide ‘Foundation Assessment’ file and is reported to parents twice yearly through the ‘Mid-Year Report’ and ‘End of Year Report’.