"The study of geography is about more than just memorising 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."
Barack Obama
Understanding our place in an interconnected world
Geography takes children from Elburton and Plymouth to communities, environments and landscapes across the world. Through geography, children develop an understanding of places, people and environments, alongside the physical and human processes that shape our planet. We aim to inspire curiosity about the world and help children become informed, responsible and environmentally aware citizens.
Why this subject matters
Geography helps children understand the world around them and their place within it. It encourages them to ask questions, recognise connections between people and places, and develop an appreciation of different cultures, communities and environments. Through geography, children gain the knowledge needed to engage with important global issues such as climate change, sustainability, migration and the responsible use of resources.
What children learn
Children develop their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world through the study of:
- Locational and place knowledge
- Human and physical geography
- Fieldwork and map skills
- Geographical vocabulary and enquiry
As they progress through school, pupils learn about weather and climate, rivers and coasts, settlements, trade, population, migration, natural processes and environmental change.
How knowledge develops
Learning is carefully sequenced so that children build on what they already know. Pupils begin by exploring their local area and gradually develop a broader understanding of regions, countries and global systems.
Key concepts, map skills and fieldwork are revisited throughout the curriculum, enabling children to deepen their understanding and make connections between different aspects of geography.
What this looks like at Elburton
Children explore geography through the use of maps, atlases, aerial photographs, digital technology, data analysis and fieldwork.
They investigate local, national and global environments, compare places, identify patterns and explain geographical processes. Wherever possible, learning is connected to real-life locations and issues so that children develop a meaningful understanding of the world around them.
How we know children are learning
Teachers use questioning, discussion, retrieval activities and pupils' work to assess understanding and identify any misconceptions.
Children demonstrate their learning by using geographical vocabulary accurately, locating and describing places, interpreting maps and data, and explaining how physical and human processes shape the world.
Supporting Learning at Home
EYFS and Key Stage 1
- Encourage your child to observe the world around them. On a walk talk about how some houses and buildings look older than others.
- Talk about your route to school or the shops. What do you see on the way? Can you draw what you see? Can you draw a simple map?
- Look at a map of the UK- Where you do live? Have you lived anywhere else?
- Visit the new town of Sherford on the outskirts of Plymouth. What type of houses have been built? Can you draw a sketch of the landscape?
- Visit Saltram and follow the River Plym along its course. Can you take a photo of the river and describe it?
Key Stage 2
- Visit the National Geographic Kids for the most amazing videos and facts about our wonderful world, along with fun competitions, games and more!
- The Ordnance Survey Mapzone is full of lively online activities and games that children can play, which also develop their map skills and knowledge.
- Visit the National Marine Aquarium to learn about marine life, ocean currents, and the geography of the world's seas and oceans.
- Climb Smeaton's Tower on Plymouth Hoe and discuss coastal geography, cliffs, erosion, and how lighthouses have been used historically for navigation.
- Visit Dartmoor National Park to study moorland geography, weathering, and erosion, as well as flora and fauna specific to this type of landscape. You could take part in orienteering and map reading too.
- Walk along the South West Coast Path starting from the Royal William Yard and discuss coastal processes such as erosion and deposition and how human activity has shaped the coast.
Geography in Action
Geography is all around us. From understanding our local community to exploring global challenges, children use their geographical knowledge to make sense of the world. By the time they leave Elburton, we want pupils to be curious about different places, respectful of diverse communities and equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand our changing planet.