Geography - Progression and Breadth of Study

Purpose Of Study

Geography inspires  a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Pupils learn  about diverse places, people, resources and both natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes, the interaction between these processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments. Geography helps explain how the Earth’s features are shaped, interconnected and change over time.

We aim that through the teaching of Geography, our children will have mastered the following abilities:

• An excellent knowledge of where places are and what they are like.

• An excellent understanding of the ways in which places are interdependent and interconnected and how much human and physical environments are interrelated.

• An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary.

• Fluency in complex, geographical enquiry and the ability to apply questioning skills and use effective analytical and presentational techniques.

• The ability to reach clear conclusions and develop a reasoned argument to explain findings.

• Significant levels of originality, imagination or creativity as shown in interpretations and representations of the subject matter.

• Highly developed and frequently utilised fieldwork and other geographical skills and techniques.

• A passion for and commitment to the subject, and a real sense of curiosity to find out about the world and the people who live there.

• The ability to express well-balanced opinions, rooted in very good knowledge and understanding about current and contemporary issues in society and the environment.

          Concepts

Progression

Years 1 and 2

Years 3 and 4

Years 5 and 6

To locate places and key geographical features

Locational Knowledge

name and locate the world’s 7 continents and 5 oceans

name, locate and identify characteristics of the 4 countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas

locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and touch upon North and South America, concentrating on Europe’s environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities 

Begin to name and locate some counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and begin to understand how some of these aspects have changed over time

Begin to identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)

locate the world’s countries, using maps to recapping on Europe (including the location of Russia) and concentrating on North and South America, focusing on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities 

name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time

Identify the position and understand the significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)

To understand geographical similarities and differences

Place Knowledge

understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country 

understand some geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, and a region in a European country

understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, a region in a European country, and a region in North or South America

Describe and understand key aspects of human and physical geography

Human and Physical Geography

identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles

use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to:

1. key physical features, including: beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather

2. key human features, including: city, town, village, factory, farm, house, office, port, harbour and shop

Begin to describe and understand key aspects of physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle

Begin to describe and understand key aspects of human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water

Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography, including: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts, rivers, mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes, and the water cycle

Describe and understand key aspects of human geography, including: types of settlement and land use, economic activity including trade links, and the distribution of natural resources including energy, food, minerals and water

To develop geographical and fieldwork skills

Geographical skills and fieldwork

Use world maps, atlases and globes to identify the United Kingdom and its countries, as well as the countries, continents and oceans studied at this key stage

 use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language (near, far, left, right)  to describe the location of features and routes on a map

use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key

use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.

With support use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied

Begin to use the 8 points of a compass, 4 and 6-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world

Begin to use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.

Independently use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping to locate countries and describe features studied

Independently use the 8 points of a compass, 4 and 6-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world

Independently use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.

Breadth of Study (subject topics)

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Key Stage 1 - locations (also including bodies of water)

UK 

Oldbury

London

Jamaica

North and South Poles

China

Y1 Locations 

UK, 

England, 

Wales, 

Scotland,

Ireland, 

School

Playground

Oldbury town centre  - our local area

(Local rural/village setting contrast - Clent) 

Europe

The World 

Oman, 

India, 

Spain,

Bahamas, 

South America, 

The Equator, 

The North Pole, 

The South Pole

Year 1

Chn will learn about the UK

Oldbury - with particular focus on  fieldwork linked to our school and the local area - compass directions, aerial photos, simple maps of school/local area, observations

Human and Physical geography of Oldbury as a town - contrast to countryside

Chn will learn about world geography including studying climates through science and how it affects where things grow  - the Equator, North Pole, South Pole

Y2 Locations

UK, 

London - 1066 and modern day

Birmingham

Oldbury

Non European city affected by flood/fire

UK, 

Compton Verney - Warwickshire, 

China

5 continents,

Much Wenlock,

London, 

local area

Year 2

Use maps, online maps, to locate our place in the world, our country, our city, and find London on the maps.

Explore maps of London and locate where the fire started, spread to, and the rebuilding of London. 

Locate places/landmarks in London.

China - compare UK to China - my school your school, Ted tours, development contrasting features human and physical, climates etc…

Characteristics of 4 countries - England, Wales, Scotland Ireland - link to  sport and look at their capital cities

Fieldwork - link to sport events/sports locations e.g outdoor trails/sports to follow compass directions - maps etc..

Key Stage 2 - locations

UK

Greece

Italy 

Europe

Russica

Africa (Egypt)

South America (Rainforest link)

North America

Year 3

Europe, 

Greece, 

Ancient Greece - choose a particular region to compare 

Mountains and Rivers 

Extreme Earth

The UK 

Land Use and changes in Land Use in the UK - including aspects of field work

Year 4

Africa 

Egypt - modern and Ancient

UK

The River Nile

Locate and find out about European  countries and their physical and human features

Including study of Russian biomes

Rivers - Study of rivers, coasts and seas

Water - include fieldwork using local canals waterways etc…

Year 5

Europe

Link to Anglo Saxons - Northern Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, UK

Link to Vikings - Scandinavia - Denmark, Norway, Sweden

South America/Rainforest - including The geography of The Mayan civilisation and the ecology and threat of deforestation to our rainforests

•  some contrast with region in the UK (Bournville where they make Cadbury’s chocolate) and a region in Europe (in Switzerland where Lindt chocolate is made  

Enough for Everyone (through study of industrialisation)  focus on  renewable and non renewable sources of energy

A Cracking Invention - The Map - Marvellous Maps - field work, map skills etc…

Year 6

WWII linked focus on countries within the European campaign and wider across the world. Focus on local study  using field work skills linked to war locally  e.g Smethwick

Oldbury War Memorial

Visit to the National Arboretum before White moor lakes in Nov

Our Urban life - using maps 

The Americas - North America  - The Grand Canyon

Trade Links and Economics - including Journey of water and food - (link to science) - trade links, natural resources

Legacy - Our Changing World - weathering and erosion, coastal features, changing boundaries, - what will happen in the future do we think and why

Eco Award Links

Litter picking

Walk to school - living streets

Global Links - Fairtrade (y3 y5)

Plastic Free Lunches

Outdoor Learning