Curriculum Statement for Geography

At St Oswald’s Primary School, our geography provision inspires curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. We aim to develop children’s understanding of their local environment and the wider world, encouraging them to ask thoughtful questions and investigate natural and human processes. Our progressive, transferable curriculum builds knowledge and skills that foster confidence, creativity and independence. Through studying diverse places, people and environments, pupils gain a deep understanding of the world and their place within it.

Intent

At St Oswald’s, pupils develop mapping, investigative and technological skills through a wide range of geographical resources. These transferable skills are applied across the curriculum and progress in complexity as pupils advance. Children also build and use a broad geographical vocabulary linked to both human and physical geography in practical, investigative and written tasks.

Implementation

At St Oswald’s, pupils engage regularly in geography lessons that build on prior knowledge and skills, with opportunities for support, challenge and extension. Children working at greater depth broaden their learning by using a wider range of geographical language and forming opinions based on evidence. Geography is closely linked with other curriculum areas, with skills such as debate, investigation and evaluation applied across subjects and on residential trips. Learning is enriched through exploration of the local environment, comparisons with other localities and fieldwork opportunities. Forest School, village walks, the Dales Way and trips further afield provide real-world contexts that deepen children’s geographical understanding, vocabulary and investigative skills.

The curriculum also fosters pupils’ awareness of community, culture and diversity, encouraging curiosity, reflection and tolerance. Work is shared through books, displays, assemblies and digital media, helping pupils take pride in their learning. Geography is rooted in the local context, progressing from the study of the immediate area in EYFS and Key Stage 1, to rivers, mountains and human geography in later years. Children use maps, atlases and digital tools such as Digimap and Google Earth, developing independence and critical thinking as they advance. Questioning underpins each unit, encouraging pupils of all abilities to think logically, ask meaningful questions and extend their knowledge as they progress.

Impact

Pupil voice shows that children enjoy geography, from exploring new places and climates to working with maps and linking learning with art. They express curiosity about the world, imagining themselves as explorers, and are motivated to apply their skills and knowledge to real contexts.

Pupils confidently use geographical vocabulary to share their understanding, both verbally and in writing. They investigate new locations, explain their reasoning, and build depth of knowledge through a curriculum that meets national requirements while drawing on St Oswald’s unique local context.