GEOGRAPHY
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ACHIEVE - LEARN - FLOURISH
The Aspire Learning Federation is made up of two schools - Elm Park Primary School and R J Mitchell Primary School in the London Borough of Havering.
We take great pride in providing a rich and engaging geography curriculum for all of our children; through instilling a deep fascination and understanding of the world around them.
Our geography curriculum aims to equip all children with a strong grasp of both human and physical geography. We strive to nurture a love for the environment, ignite a curiosity about other countries and cultures, and empower our diverse community of learners to explore the world with confidence and enthusiasm.
At the heart of our geography curriculum is a steadfast commitment to helping children understand the world they live in. Through a carefully sequenced progression of knowledge and skills, we ensure that children build a solid foundation of locational and place knowledge, from their local area to the furthest reaches of the globe.
As our children move through the school, they are encouraged to investigate the physical and human features that shape our planet, analysing how these elements interact and change over time. Whether it's exploring the lush rainforests of the Amazon or tracing the migratory patterns of settlements, our children are empowered to see the world through the lens of a geographer, asking questions, making connections, and developing a deeper appreciation for the natural and human environments.
Alongside building a comprehensive understanding of geographical concepts, we foster a spirit of exploration and curiosity in our children. By providing opportunities to navigate their local community, children learn essential life skills such as map reading, route planning, and risk assessment - equipping them to safely and confidently navigate their surroundings.
As children progress, we encourage them to broaden their horizons, investigating the diverse cultures, economies, and ways of life found across the globe. Through engaging lessons, immersive field trips, and collaborative learning, our children are inspired to imagine the possibilities that exist beyond their immediate experience, sparking a desire to learn more and make a positive impact on the world.
At R J Mitchell Primary, we believe that excellence in geography is achieved through a dynamic, inquiry-based approach to learning. Our children are not passive recipients of information; rather, they are active participants in the process of geographical investigation, analysing data, interpreting evidence, and drawing their own conclusions.
We follow the CUSP Geography Curriculum, where we teach geography every other week for a full afternoon. This approach allows us to delve deeply into the subject, providing our children with the time and resources they need to explore geographical concepts and skills in a meaningful way.
Our long-term, medium-term, and short-term planning ensures that we cover the full breadth of the National Curriculum, enabling our children to develop a comprehensive understanding of topics such as locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography, and geographical skills and fieldwork.
To bring geography to life, we utilise a range of high-quality and engaging materials, including teacher-led sessions, group and partner work, videos, physical maps, and online resources. This multi-modal approach allows our children to learn through a variety of mediums, catering to their diverse learning styles and needs.
Recognising the importance of real-world experiences, we also incorporate well-planned fieldtrips and hands-on activities into our geography curriculum. These immersive experiences help our children to connect the concepts they've learned in the classroom to the world around them, fostering a deeper appreciation for the subject.
At R J Mitchell Primary, we take a proactive approach to monitoring and evaluating the progress of our pupils in geography. Our subject leaders regularly conduct lesson observations, staff meetings, book looks, and pupil voice activities to ensure that our geography curriculum is being effectively delivered and meeting the needs of all our learners.
To plan effectively and track progress over time, we use pre- and post-assessments for each geography unit. This allows us to identify the starting points of our pupils and measure the impact of our teaching, ensuring that all children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities, are supported to achieve their personal best.
We are a reflective school that is constantly evaluating and refining our geography curriculum. If we identify areas where our pupils are struggling, we are quick to adjust our planning and teaching strategies to better support their learning. This commitment to continuous improvement ensures that our geography provision remains responsive to the needs of our diverse community.
Our ultimate goal is to equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage with the world around them. When our children leave R J Mitchell Primary, we want them to be able to confidently discuss geographical concepts and have aspirations to explore the UK and beyond. By nurturing their curiosity and love of learning, we hope to inspire the next generation of global citizens.