Rationale

At St Anthony’s, geography helps pupils make sense of God’s world and their place within it. It equips pupils with knowledge and skills to explore, understand, and care for the Earth, highlighting connections between people, places, and environments. Rooted in Stewardship of Creation, pupils learn they are called to protect our common home. Through Solidarity and the Dignity of the Human Person, pupils understand global interdependence and develop respect for all cultures. Geography nurtures curiosity, responsibility, and mission, preparing pupils to be active, informed global citizens living out their faith in action.

Intent

Our geography curriculum, following the ARK+ framework, nurtures curiosity about the world and helps pupils understand connections between people, places, and environments. It offers a carefully sequenced, knowledge-rich learning experience aligned with the National Curriculum.

Core principles include:

• Nurturing virtuous individuals who put faith into action and become responsible citizens.
• Inspiring high achievement and a love of learning about the world.
• Promoting collaborative learning that respects diverse perspectives and engages global challenges.

Key Stage 1: Pupils explore the local area, broadening to the UK, the seaside, and a contrasting study of Kenya.

Key Stage 2: Pupils deepen knowledge of settlements, land use, and major physical and human features across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. They study climate zones, rivers, rainforests, mountains, and natural disasters, making cross-curricular links to history.

Implementation

• Lessons are sequenced within ARK+ to ensure progression from KS1 to KS2.
• Pupils engage in direct teaching, enquiry-based learning, and discussion.
• Fieldwork is embedded, enabling practical application of geographical skills.
• Use of maps, atlases, globes, digital mapping, and data analysis develops geographical thinking.
• Cross-curricular links with History and RE enrich understanding of people and places.

Impact

By the end of primary education, pupils will:

• Have secure knowledge of places, people, environments, and shaping processes.
• Demonstrate skills in map reading, data interpretation, and fieldwork.
• Ask and answer key geographical questions about location, causes, and effects.
• Engage in informed discussions on global challenges like climate change and fair trade.
• Show confidence, curiosity, and responsibility as global citizens acting with faith and courage.

Assessment

• Each lesson starts with a quiz to revisit prior learning and strengthen recall.
• Pupils reflect on enquiry questions to consolidate knowledge and make connections.
• End-of-unit presentations assess geographical understanding, skills, and communication.
• This formative and summative approach ensures monitored and celebrated progress.

 

SEND Support Statement:

• In teaching the Ark+ geography curriculum for KS1 and KS2, we prioritise quality first teaching alongside adaptive strategies to support all learners, including those with SEND. Lessons are carefully differentiated to meet individual needs, incorporating visual resources, hands-on activities, and clear, structured instructions. By adjusting the pace and providing targeted scaffolding, we ensure that every pupil can actively engage with geographical concepts and develop their skills confidently.