Geography

Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?

 -Michael Palin

At Bowmansgreen, our geography curriculum is designed to cultivate a deep understanding of the world among our pupils. We aim to inspire a sense of curiosity and a passion for the environment, equipping students with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate and contribute positively to a rapidly changing world.

The key objectives of our geography intent are:

• Knowledge of Places and Environments: To develop pupils' understanding of human and physical geography, enabling them to appreciate the characteristics of different regions and the interconnections between them.
• Geographical Skills: To foster skills in map reading, data interpretation, and fieldwork techniques, empowering pupils to gather, analyse, and present geographical information effectively.
• Critical Thinking: To encourage critical thinking about geographical issues, enabling students to form opinions based on evidence and to understand diverse perspectives related to global challenges such as climate change and sustainability.
• Curriculum Development: To continuously refine and enhance the geography curriculum in response to educational research, pupil feedback, and emerging global geographical themes, ensuring it remains relevant and engaging.

Our intent is underpinned by the National Curriculum, ensuring that each pupil's geographical knowledge builds progressively throughout their primary education.

The geography curriculum at Bowmansgreen is implemented through a combination of engaging, hands-on teaching methods and well-structured lesson plans. Key aspects of our implementation include:

• Thematic Units: Geography is taught through thematic units that link with other subjects, including history and science, thereby providing a coherent learning experience. For example, studying settlements not only covers human geography but also incorporates historical accounts of the local area and what was needed for early settlers.
• Fieldwork Opportunities: We prioritise fieldwork as an essential component of the geography curriculum. Local excursions across the key stages allow students to explore and investigate their immediate environment, conduct surveys, and engage with local geographers or environmental experts, thereby contextualising their learning.
• Use of Technology: Incorporation of technology, such as Google Maps, Google Earth and interactive mapping tools, enhances pupils' understanding and engagement.
• Differentiated Learning: We employ a differentiated approach to cater to diverse learning needs, ensuring all pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), are fully supported and challenged appropriately. Our lessons are designed to incorporate various learning styles and encourage collaborative group work.

The impact of our geography curriculum at Bowmansgreen is evident in several key areas:

• Engagement and Enthusiasm: Pupil feedback reflects a passion for geography, with many expressing an eagerness to explore new topics and participate in discussions.
• Critical Awareness: We can see evidence of critical thinking in pupils’ discussions and written work, particularly in their understanding of global issues. They demonstrate the ability to articulate their viewpoints with clarity and confidence while considering multiple perspectives.
• Curriculum Refinement: Regular evaluation of the geography curriculum shows continuous improvement with updates reflecting current geographical themes, ensuring that our teaching remains relevant to pupils' lives and global changes.

Geography Curriculum Overview