Geography

The study of Geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It’s about understanding the complexity of our world.’ Barack Obama

We are Geographers.......

INTENT

At Burrington Primary School, our Geography curriculum is designed to develop children’s passion and knowledge of their local area as well as their curiosity about the wider world. We want to instill in children a respect for our diverse world and to understand the importance of cherishing it.

At Burrington, geography develops pupils’ understanding of diverse places, people, resources, and natural and human environments.

The curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:
• develop contextual knowledge of significant global and local places;
• understand the processes that shape physical and human geography;
• are competent in fieldwork, map skills, and enquiry-based investigation;
• are inspired to care for their environment and act as global citizens.

Children investigate a range of places – both in Britain and abroad – to help develop their knowledge and understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Burrington (beginning with our school and church site), Burrington Combe, Weston-Super-Mare, as well as Bristol. This is so that the children can develop a real sense of identity, as well as grow their understanding surrounding their heritage and understand what makes our local area so very valuable and special.

Our concern for the earth and our legacy also means that in our teaching of geographical knowledge and understanding, we introduce children to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (Global Goals) and the impact of human beings on our world. We also try to make cross curricular links between geography and other subject areas where possible to enhance children's understanding and deepen their knowledge.

IMPLEMENTATION

Children receive a comprehensive and progressive Geography curriculum. We follow the LSP scheme of work which is clear, planned and sequenced - in line with the National Curriculum. The LSP scheme of work reflects rich substantive knowledge through three vertical concept themes—Settlement and land use, physical processes and sustainability and environment—ensuring coverage across all year groups and a clear progression of disciplinary skills including: mapping, fieldwork and enquiry, communication and use of technology. Each unit is framed around a key enquiry question and builds towards a final outcome (e.g., discussion, presentation, or written work).

Examples include:

EYFS: “Who are the people in the community who help us?”
Year 3: “Why do people choose to live near volcanoes?”
Year 6: “How do we get our food and commodities in the UK?”

Each unit reflects Rosenshine’s principles of instruction, embedding clear modelling, guided practice, and regular review to build secure understanding and long-term retention.

Our teaching methods reflect the LSP pedagogical approach and Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction:
• A rigorous, sequential approach to knowledge acquisition.
• Explicit instruction through ‘I do, we do, you do’.
• Regular retrieval practice and low-stakes assessment.
• Adaptive teaching and scaffolding for diverse learners.
• High expectations of engagement, accuracy, and participation.
• Purposeful feedback to guide improvement and mastery.

In EYFS, Geography units are carefully planned to provide meaningful, engaging experiences. For example, our “Life in Jamaica” topic is linked to Black History through the story of Floella Benjamin and is taught alongside continuous provision that is thoughtfully designed. This includes role-play resources such as dressing-up clothes for ‘people who help us’ and building blocks for creating famous landmarks.

Our curriculum reflects Burrington’s Christian vision by promoting stewardship, compassion, and justice, helping pupils connect their learning to their responsibility for people and planet. Global Goals form a key area of enquiry, encouraging children to think critically about major challenges facing humanity in the 21st century—such as climate change, water security, ecosystem destruction, development, trade, and foreign aid.

We place strong emphasis on fieldwork, which is carefully planned to ensure progression across year groups (see Geography Progression Document for details).

Weekly Forest School sessions in KS1 offer powerful opportunities for outdoor learning, where children take part in practical activities that deepen their understanding of nature and the environment.

Finally, we enrich Geography teaching by incorporating current news stories that are relevant to pupils’ learning, ensuring the subject remains dynamic and connected to real-world events.

IMPACT

There is no statutory teacher assessment in KS1 and KS2 for Geography. However, teachers will assess children’s security of acquisition. Assessment ensures that curriculum content is learned and retained over time. Teachers use formative assessment through questioning, ‘Do Now’ retrieval tasks, exit tickets, and hinge questions. Summative assessment takes place at the end of each unit, where pupils complete a final outcome that answers the enquiry question using acquired vocabulary and knowledge. Teachers record pupil progress using assessment grids to track attainment against age-related expectations.

By the end of their primary education, Burrington pupils will:
• demonstrate secure knowledge of key physical and human geography concepts;
• communicate geographically using appropriate vocabulary, maps, and diagrams;
• apply fieldwork and enquiry skills confidently;
• understand their role as responsible global citizens;
• articulate an informed understanding of sustainability and diversity.

Pupils leave Burrington curious, reflective, and motivated to contribute positively to the world around them.

INSPIRATION

At Burrington, we plan termly topic WOW days to inspire children and engage them with the subject. Not only do WOW days enable children to develop their Geography skills and knowledge, but also allow them to have fun whilst learning in a different way! These may take the form of workshops, trips to museums, acting workshops, dress up days, etc.

Burrington also encourage visits by individuals and organisations that can provide enrichment to support core curriculum topics and inspire the children’s imagination, such as authors, Farmlink, and members of the public, e.g. Mr Hanson who presented his South American photos to demonstrate volcanic activity.

We also plan numerous school trips to explore our local area, such as: Mendip Hills, North Somerset Countryside Day, Weston-super-Mare (coastal), Farmlink – local farm, etc. All UKS2 children visit London where they either visit the Natural History or Science Museum.

Curriculum Overview and Long term Plans

/docs/Curriculum/Geography/LSP_Mixed_Age_Geography_Curriculum.docx

/docs/Curriculum/Geography/Burrington_Geography_Long_Term_Curriculum_Overview_2025.docx

Policy

Evidence of Work

Wow Day Write up

Extreme Earth Write up