Geography

Intent

At Marlcliffe, we are geographers. Through the Geography curriculum, each and every child will be given opportunities to experience what it is like to be a real-life geographer. We aim to provide a high-quality, engaging Geography curriculum that inspires our children to develop a curiosity and sense of wonder about their world and the people in it. At Marlcliffe, children will be taught about the world around them, enabling them to explore, appreciate and understand how both physical and human processes have shaped landscapes, cultures and settlements across the globe. We encourage and challenge children to ask questions about why and how these changes have happened. Through a broad and balanced Geography curriculum which encompasses investigative fieldwork opportunities, we aim to help our pupils navigate and understand the ever-changing human and physical world around and them and their place in it.

Implementation

Through our Geography lessons, we teach all of the main strands of Geography which are: Location and Place knowledge, Human and Physical knowledge, Enquiry and Investigation, Field work, Sources and Information. Concepts relating to cultural awareness and cultural diversity are interwoven through-out the Geography curriculum to support our curriculum driver of Global Citizens. Children are encouraged to explore the similarities and differences between various cultures and identities, deepening their understanding of our global community.

Children will also explore and understand contemporary issues threatening the planet today including climate change and pollution and how this is impacting on human civilisations around the world. Children will be encouraged to think about solutions to these problems and how we could live more sustainably, providing them with the opportunity to grow up to help resolve the issues threatening their planet and their lives.

Fieldwork and fieldtrip opportunities ensure our children build skills and knowledge of how geographical enquiries are structured and carried out. Children begin with familiar and concrete places in the local environment before gradually moving towards more unfamiliar and abstract places.

In EYFS, children will develop the prerequisite skills necessary for them to access Geography within the national curriculum. At Marlcliffe, the children will be given the opportunity to begin to develop their sense of place, teaching them that there are different countries in the world, challenging them to start to recognise the similarities and differences between life, culture and the physical environment in this country and others around the world. The children will also be taught about some of the important processes and changes within the natural world around them, including the four seasons. 

During each Geography unit, we build in opportunities for retrieval practice which supports children in recalling and remembering previous learning.  Our ambitious curriculum supports children to ‘know more and remember more’. This may take the form of low-stakes quizzes, games, discussion prompts and many other tasks. Every lesson begins with a recap of prior learning.  When teachers are planning, they consider what has gone before and any future learning. At the start of each unit of learning, knowledge organisers are used to promote specific vocabulary and end points.

At Marlcliffe, Geography is taught by the class teacher, who follows a carefully planned sequence of lessons based on our Progression Maps. These maps provide a clear framework for delivering a rigorous and ambitious curriculum that not only covers all the National Curriculum objectives but also extends beyond them to foster a deeper understanding of the subject.

Our lessons are designed to engage children and provoke thoughtful discussion, encouraging them to explore geographical concepts critically and creatively. The teaching approach is carefully balanced between:

• Direct Instruction: Providing clear, structured explanations of key concepts and geographical skills.
• Experiential Learning: Offering hands-on opportunities such as fieldwork and interactive activities to help students make real-world connections.
• Enquiry-Based Learning: Encouraging students to ask questions, investigate, and develop their own understanding of geographical issues.

All children at Marlcliffe are entitled to a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes not only knowledge but also a genuine curiosity about the world. Teachers maintain high expectations for all learners, ensuring that the curriculum is challenging yet accessible. Lessons are adapted to meet the diverse needs of our children, providing support where needed while offering opportunities for further challenge for those who are ready.

Impact

Assessment in Geography is an ongoing process woven into everyday learning. Teachers assess pupils’ progress through:

• Observations of learning and engagement during lessons.
• Classroom discussions that allow pupils to express and refine their thinking.
• Work in books, which provides insight into pupils' understanding and skills.
• Regular retrieval to reinforce learning and gauge retention.

These assessment methods help teachers make informed judgments about each child’s progress towards the end points for each unit, ensuring that all learners are supported and challenged appropriately.

The Geography curriculum at Marlcliffe has a profound impact on pupils, fostering both a deep understanding of the world around them and the critical thinking skills necessary for their future as geographers. By the time they leave Marlcliffe, children are well-equipped to continue their studies in Geography, with a genuine curiosity and a solid foundation for future academic success.