Geography Intent

At Bottesford Schools Federation, our Geography curriculum aims to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding and develop a lifelong interest in the world in which we live. Through a coherent, ambitious and carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, vocabulary, skills and cultural understanding they need to make sense of both their local environment and the wider world.

Geography supports our vision to “We RISE together”. Pupils demonstrate Respect by valuing people, places, cultures and environments; Integrity by considering their responsibilities towards their communities and the planet; Strive by embracing geographical challenges and developing increasingly sophisticated knowledge and skills; and Empowered by asking questions, making informed decisions and taking an active role in their learning and community.

We want our pupils to become confident geographical thinkers who understand how people, places and environments are connected, how physical and human processes shape our world, and how our planet is changing. Through learning about different cultures, communities and ways of life, pupils develop empathy and an appreciation of the diversity of our world, whilst considering different perspectives and their responsibilities as local and global citizens.

Through the study of environmental issues, sustainability and our changing planet, pupils consider the impact of human activity and how responsible choices can contribute to a positive future. We want children to understand that Geography is relevant to their lives and can help them make informed decisions about the world around them.

Ultimately, we want pupils to leave Bottesford with strong geographical knowledge, confident geographical skills and a genuine curiosity about the world. We also aim to broaden their aspirations by introducing them to the wide range of careers that Geography can support, including environmental science, town planning, cartography, landscape architecture, transport planning and meteorology.

A Bottesford Federation Geographer will:

• Show Respect for people, places, cultures and environments, recognising the diversity of our world.
• Develop secure locational and place knowledge, making connections between different places and environments.
• Strive to develop their geographical knowledge, vocabulary and skills, building on prior learning.
• Show Integrity when collecting, interpreting and presenting geographical information, using evidence carefully to support their ideas.
• Be Empowered to ask geographical questions, investigate the world and express informed opinions.
• Understand how physical and human processes shape places and influence people's lives.
• Use maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping confidently to locate, explore and interpret places.
• Apply geographical skills through fieldwork, investigation and real-life experiences.
• Recognise environmental challenges and understand how informed choices can contribute to a more sustainable future.
• Develop a genuine curiosity about the world and recognise the opportunities Geography can offer in their future.

Our Geography Curriculum

Our Geography curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils progressively build their knowledge and skills. From the earliest years, children develop an understanding of their local area and their place within the wider world. This knowledge is expanded as pupils explore continents, countries, cities, cultures and significant geographical features and processes.

Across the curriculum, pupils develop four key areas of geographical learning:

• Locational knowledge – knowing where places are and understanding their position within the wider world.
• Place knowledge – understanding the characteristics of different places and recognising similarities, differences and connections between them.
• Human and physical geography – understanding physical features and processes alongside how people live, work and interact with environments.
• Geographical skills and fieldwork – learning how to investigate, collect, interpret and communicate geographical information.

Geography is an active subject at Bottesford. Pupils have meaningful opportunities to learn beyond the classroom through fieldwork, investigations, projects, challenges and real-life experiences. They observe, measure, collect and interpret data, identify patterns, draw conclusions and communicate their findings.

Geographical enquiry is central to our teaching. Pupils learn to use maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping resources to locate and interpret places and develop an increasingly sophisticated understanding of geographical information. As pupils progress through the school, they become more independent in selecting appropriate resources, investigating questions and applying their knowledge to authentic situations.

Our curriculum uses retrieval, revisiting and purposeful application to support pupils in securing geographical knowledge in their long-term memory. Learning is carefully built upon so that pupils can make connections between different places, processes and areas of geographical knowledge.

We maintain high expectations for all pupils, including disadvantaged pupils and those with SEND. Appropriate scaffolding, challenge and stretch ensure that every child can access an ambitious Geography curriculum and achieve their best.

Through Geography, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand the world around them, recognise their responsibilities within it and consider how they can contribute to its future.