Intent
At Holy Cross, our pupils are encouraged to be inquisitive about the people and places of our world. We aim for our pupils not only to be able to name and locate key locations in our world, but also to be able to make connections and comparisons.
As a Catholic school, we feel it’s important that our pupils have opportunities to engage and motivate their sense of awe, wonder and curiosity about the world around them, through fieldwork and tactile learning. A key aspect of our geography will also be learning about the different cultures around the world, including human, physical and financial characteristics.
Linking closely to our Catholic Social Teaching, our pupils will develop an understanding and awareness of the wellbeing of people across the world, as well as how different cultures face different global issues. Our pupils will also gain an awareness of the everchanging world that we live in, and the ever-more relevant affects of climate change and our environmental choices.
Living on the Isle of Wight, we understand it is key that our pupils have the opportunity to explore our rich surroundings and the wealth of geographical resources on our door-step. Our pupils will also explore how their communities have been formed and shaped.
Where possible, our geography topics provide cross-curricular links with other subjects, such as the water cycle (science link), map reading, co-ordinates, graphs, scales, and measurements (maths link).
Our geography curriculum is designed with the following intentions:
- To provide our pupils with a thorough understanding of both human and physical geography, enabling them to explore the world around them. This includes knowledge of local, national, and global contexts.
- To equip our pupils with essential geographical skills, such as map reading, data interpretation, and critical thinking, which will enable them to analyse the world and make informed decisions about environmental and cultural issues.
- To promote an understanding of diverse cultures and communities, celebrating differences while fostering respect and empathy, preparing our pupils for life in a multicultural society.
- To instil a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards the environment through education about sustainability, climate change, and conservation, encouraging our pupils to become proactive global citizens.
- To inspire curiosity and a love for learning about geography through engagement in investigative projects, fieldwork, and real-world applications of geographical skills.
Implementation
The implementation of our geography curriculum reflects best practices:
- Our geography curriculum, based on the Plan Bee scheme of work, is carefully sequenced to ensure progressive knowledge and skill development. Each year group builds on prior learning, and topics are interlinked to create a cohesive understanding of geography.
- We embrace an enquiry-based approach to learning, involving our pupils in questions that provoke thought and discussion. Learning experiences include hands-on fieldwork, virtual trips, and collaborative group work, which cater to various learning styles.
- Teachers have access to a wide range of high-quality resources, including those provided by the Plan Bee scheme, ensuring that our pupils engage with current geographical tools and methodologies.
- Continuous professional development opportunities for teachers are essential in keeping our teaching practices innovative and responsive to new geographical findings and pedagogical strategies.
Impact
The impact of our geography curriculum is evident through various measurable outcomes:
- The majority of our pupils achieve or exceed age-related expectations in geography, as assessed through regular formative and summative assessments, discussions, and class work.
- Pupil feedback indicates high levels of interest and enthusiasm for geography lessons.
- Our pupils demonstrate critical thinking and problem-solving skills when addressing geographical challenges, evidencing their ability to apply knowledge in practical contexts.
- Promotion of environmental stewardship has led to increased awareness among our pupils about sustainability and conservation.