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    • Geography

    Intent 

    At Pearl Hyde Primary School, our geography curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, enabling all pupils to develop secure knowledge of the world and the language needed to talk about it. Geography helps pupils to understand physical and human processes, natural resources and how people interact with the environment. 

    We place a strong emphasis on oracy to support learning. Through purposeful talk, structured discussion and high-quality questioning, pupils are taught to articulate their ideas clearly, ask thoughtful questions and listen respectfully to others. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on different cultures, beliefs and perspectives with empathy and curiosity. This supports pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and prepares them to become responsible, informed global citizens. 

    Learning is carefully sequenced, beginning in the local area and building towards a broader understanding of the wider world, ensuring that knowledge and skills are securely embedded over time. 

     

    Implementation 

    Geography is taught as a discrete subject and follows the Cornerstones curriculum, which provides a clearly sequenced progression of knowledge and skills. To support mixed-age classes in Years 1 to 6, we use a two-year rolling programme. Reception follows an annual programme. 

    The curriculum is structured to ensure that pupils: 

    • Build substantive and disciplinary knowledge over time 

    • Develop and apply geographical skills, including map work, fieldwork and data interpretation 

    • Use and understand ambitious, subject-specific vocabulary 

    Across geography lessons, oracy is explicitly taught and modelled. Teachers plan opportunities for pupils to: 

    • Engage in structured talk and discussion 

    • Explain their thinking using appropriate geographical vocabulary 

    • Ask and respond to questions 

    • Consider and respect different viewpoints 

    Knowledge organisers support pupils in retaining key knowledge and vocabulary. Learning is enriched through ‘WOW’ moments, educational visits and visitors, which deepen understanding and engagement. 

    Assessment is ongoing and used to inform teaching. At the end of each unit, pupils complete an independent task to demonstrate what they know and can do. Pupils are also given opportunities to reflect verbally on their learning, enabling teachers to check understanding and address misconceptions. 

    Impact 

    By the time pupils leave Pearl Hyde Primary School, they: 

    • Have developed secure geographical knowledge and skills that prepare them well for the next stage of education. 

    • Can communicate geographical understanding confidently using precise, subject-specific vocabulary. 

    • Use oracy effectively to reason, explain, question and reflect. 

    • Demonstrate curiosity about the world and respect for different cultures, places and perspectives. 

    • Understand the importance of sustainability and the impact of human activity on the environment. 

    • Show evidence of progression in knowledge, skills and language, as seen in pupils’ work, discussions and pupil voice. 

    Pupils are well-prepared to engage thoughtfully with the world around them and to contribute positively as global citizens.