Geography

Geography is an area of the curriculum that underpins all others. Without geography, there is no history, no knowledge of the world around us. 

"Geography is a living breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change. It is dynamic and relevant. For me, geography is a great adventure with a purpose. Geography is a subject which holds the key to our future" ( Michael Palin).

“The study of geography is about more than just memorizing places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it’s about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.” (Barrack Obama)

With our connections to others becoming increasingly global, our aim  is that our pupils will leave us well educated in all the key aspects in geography and ready to face the challenges of the secondary curriculum and onwards.

Geography is a subject packed with excitement and dynamism that synthesises aspects of the world and helps us to better understand its people, places and environments, and the interactions between them. Geography also helps us understand how and why places are changing, and to better imagine, predict and work towards, likely and preferred futures. Underpinning all of this is a strong spatial component that deepens our understanding of what places are like, why and how they are connected, and the importance of location.

Geography is an enquiry led subject that seeks answers to fundamental questions such as:

• Where is this place?
• What is it like? (And why?)
• How and why is it changing?
• How does this place compare with other places?
• How and why are places connected?

 It is also imperative that a geographer doesn’t just answer questions but also asks and debates them:

• What could/should the world be like in the future?
• What can we do to influence change?
  ( Geographical Association 2024) 

Geography leaders across the trust have worked together to create a scheme of work that addresses the requirements of the curriculum but also fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity with the world.

At Stimpson Avenue Academy , we follow an enquiry-based curriculum which encourages pupils to think deeply about geographical concepts, connections and differences.

Each unit has a key question that can be answered through its study. 

Geography in EYFS 

Enabling pupils to take on the role of a geographer: exploring, discovering and beginning to make sense of the world around them is an important consideration when planning for the seven areas of inter-connected learning and development that make up the EYFS framework.

In particular the area entitled ‘Understanding the world’ presents the opportunity for pupils to reflect on the events and routines that they and their peers experience. They should be given the opportunity to formulate questions to investigate the similarities and differences that exist and be encouraged to discuss these with interest and sensitivity.

Through role-play the children can learn experientially about the different environments that different professions operate in and explain why some things happen the way they do in both the physical and human world.