Subject Leaders: Mrs M. Thake and Mrs S. Clayton

Curriculum Governor: Mr N. Keeling

Intent

The intent of the Geography curriculum at Sneyd Academy is to inspire children’s curiosity and interest to explore the world that we live in and its relationship with its people. We intend to equip children with geographical skills to develop their knowledge through studying places, people and natural and human environments. We recognise that Geography is an investigative subject and we intend to develop these skills. Through our teaching, we intend to provoke thought, questions and to encourage children to discover answers to their own questions through exploration and research. It is intended that pupils will gain a greater understanding and knowledge of the world and their place in it and ignite a love of the subject which they carry forward throughout their education.

Our Geography Curriculum

The Geography curriculum at Sneyd Academy has been constructed using the National Curriculum objectives. These cover four focus areas:

• Locational knowledge
• Comparative knowledge
• Human and physical geography
• Map skills

We have given detail to each of the NC objectives and constructed our year group curriculums as seen below.

Activities in the EYFS

• Learning about their environment
• Children are encouraged to be observant about what they can see in the area they live in. They explore the outdoors by going on nature walks, by visiting places in their local area, e.g. the local supermarket and by exploring our school grounds. They also look at pictures, photographs and simple maps to help them explore. Making observations about the seasons and weather is also an important stepping stone to their future geographical learning.
• Learning about other countries
• The children learn about other countries by listening to stories, by tasting food and taking part in themed days and by talking about their own families and experiences they have had. They also learn about how other cultures celebrate for example by holding a Spanish day, learning about Chinese New Year, about how families live in the Artic and the animals that live there and by looking at how the lives of characters from stories differ to theirs.
• Map Skills
• The children explore simple maps, for example treasure maps and are encouraged to find information from them. They also learn to use directional language.

An Enriched Geography Curriculum

At Sneyd academy we take every opportunity to enrich our children’s Geography learning through experiences outside the classroom.

EYFS:  In reception, children explore their local environment by taking a walk to the local supermarket, their school environment and then journey further afield by taking a coach to the Seaside where they have fun exploring and comparing it to the environments they are used to.  

Year 1:  Children all aboard a double decker bus and explore the city we live in, learning about local landmarks and local human and physical geographical features. They also learn about the 6 towns and, later in the year, they take a trip to a local reservoir and explore the environment there. Finally, they visit a local wildlife park where they use a map to navigate and explore to meet and learn about animals from different countries of the world.

Year 2:  In Year 2, children apply the map skills they have learnt in our North, East, South and West workshop where they explore the environment of an area unknown to them using their skills to navigate and investigate. Building resilience and teamwork skills, children use their geographical knowledge to see who will be the first to solve the clues. Children are also introduced to the physical features of the Kalahari Desert, known for its unique ecosystem, by a visiting family of Meerkats and their team of humans. Finally, children travel on Sneyd Airlines to Europe where they are introduced to other European countries, learning about their cultures and their landmarks, both human and physical.

Year 3:  The children’s study of the Rainforest is enhanced by a visit from a conservationist who teaches them about the work they do to ensure the wonderful species of the rainforest are protected. They learn about what life is like in the Amazon through a hands-on experience with some exotic creatures who live there and learn all about their habitats. A further visit to Chester Zoo helps them to learn about other incredible species and the conservation work around the world needed to help prevent extinction. The children are also introduced to volcanoes by a visiting workshop where they experience the sights and sounds of an real exploding volcano, then build their own and watch it explode. They then go on to learn about the effects of volcanoes and earthquakes upon people.

Year 4: In year 4 children put their map skills into practise with a visit to Knypersley Pool, learning what it takes to be an explorer in the great outdoors. Children navigate their way around a set route and also experience cooking their own lunch outdoors.   Children also have the opportunity to experience the sights of London through a residential stay in our capital city.

Year 5: Children visit a local river and see everything they have learned about the water cycle and how rivers are formed first hand. They carry out a river study and find out the reasons why, as humans, we have settled by rivers to meet our needs. 

Year 6: A visit to Stanley Head Outdoor Pursuit Centre is the pinnacle of the children’s geographical learning at the Academy.  The children have a week-long residential stay where they put into practise all the map reading skills they have built over the years whilst making memories with their friends that will last a lifetime. The children also have the opportunity for a further residential stay in Northern France, visiting landmarks and learning about and experiencing the French culture

Quotes

Year 1

‘In geography we have learned about seasons. There are crunchy leaves that fall from trees in autumn and it is cold and snowy in winter. In spring plants grow and baby animals are born. The summer is my favourite season as it is hot and we have our school holidays.’

Year 2

‘Our definition of geography is – Geography is where we learn about people and places.’

‘We learned about the Kalahari Desert this year where animals like meercats live. A lady brought some meercats into school and we learned how they are suited to living in deserts.’

Year 3

‘We built on what we learned about in year 2 and now know lots of countries and capital cities in Europe. I hope to travel when I’m older and go to some of these fabulous places. I want to go to the Eiffel Tower and climb to the top.’

‘I’m really worried about climate control. In geography we’ve learned about deforestation and how this damages the planet. I want to plant trees and encourage my friends to do so too so we can help the planet.’

Year 4

‘I remember learning about volcanoes and earthquakes last year. I loved making a volcano then making lava erupt out with coke and mints.’

‘I can remember special geographical words from last year such as mantle, core, tectonic plate, permeable and impermeable.’

Year 5

‘Geography is my favourite subject. I can’t wait to go on our river study trip this year and find out how fast a river flows.’

‘We’ve learned about biodiversity this year and biomes. This year. I want to be an ecologist when I grow up.’

Year 6

‘This was the best year yet. At Stanley Head we used maps and a compass to navigate around the countryside. We even cooked our own dinner on camping stoves when we finally made it to the meeting place by the river.’