Geography is a key subject that teaches pupils from about where we live and how we as individuals relate to places. It is not only physical geography that is taught in the classroom – including map work, mountains, and coasts – but also human geography, when pupils consider, for example, how we waste water, or the effect that lack of water has on people and the development of a country.
 

Lessons are taught from a perspective of promoting independent as well as group learning using a variety of Media. Skills of enquiry are developed throughout the school, along with presenting information to groups, with a view to preparing pupils for secondary education.
 

Geography provides an environment for pupils to explore their own values and beliefs as well as to consider the views of others. For example, when looking at coastal areas, pupils are paired up as villagers, travel agents, hotel businessmen, local fishermen and shop owners in a role play exercise and are presented with the scenario that there are plans for a hotel to be built on an untouched area of coastline. Pupils discover that fairness is not always evident when it comes to such matters and they are encouraged to present a compelling case and argue their point of view, while empathising with others.
 

Geography links with English, through its writing and use of new geographical vocabulary. Mathematics, ICT, Citizenship, History and Science are other subjects that Geography supports and promotes.
 

The teaching of Geography not only takes place in the classroom but through a number of field trips which help pupils appreciate practical aspects of the subject.
 

Topics studied include:
 

Year 1 – The Local Area, Tropical Rainforests

Year 2 – An Island Home, The Local Area, The Seaside

Year 3 – Our World, Weather, How Can We Improve Our Locality, Village Settlers

Year 4 – Mapwork, Rainforests, Deserts, Rocks, Fossils and Geology

Year 5 – The Water Cycle, Natural Disasters, Coasts and Marine Life

Year 6 – Mountains, The Americas, Clent Hills Field Work