Geography Statement of Intent
Geography teaching at Hylton Castle Primary School aims to give all children a strong understanding of the world around them whilst acquiring specific skills and knowledge to help them to think geographically, to gain an understanding of geographical processes and also an understanding of the uses and implications of Geography, today and for the future. Children progressively develop their skills as geographers and can implement their knowledge of map skills, demonstrate their understanding of human and physical geography and analyse a range of data gathered through fieldwork within the local area to explore the changing landscapes within our locality. Our geography curriculum must stimulate the excitement, creativity and critical thinking about the world that will equip children for the world we live in. Our geography curriculum utilises the resources within the immediate and wider school area enabling our children to develop a deep, contextual understanding of the abundant geography of their own locality.
Implementation
Geography is taught in blocks throughout the year so our children are equipped with a secure understanding of the world we live in, from looking at our local area to looking at places around the world. Key skills and knowledge are identified to ensure a progressive approach to teaching throughout the school.
All learners, from SEND to greater depth are given extensive opportunities to deepen their learning through well planned lessons and effective differentiation. The geography curriculum begins in EYFS in their ‘Understanding of the World’ giving them a strong foundation of appreciation for people and places. Throughout the years children will develop their sense of places and allow the children to make sense of their surroundings, ensuring they gain a better appreciation and understanding of the variety of physical and human conditions on the Earth’s surface.
| National Curriculum aim 1 (Country) | National Curriculum aim 2 (Topic) | National Curriculum aim 3 (Field Work) | |
| Year 1 | To name and locate the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and the surrounding Seas. | To identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the UK. Locate hot and cold areas of the world linked to the Equator and North & South Poles. | To accurately use and draw maps (link to our coastal region) |
| Year 2 | Name and locate the seven continents and five oceans | Similarities and difference of a small area in the UK (Sunderland) and non-European country (Sydney – Australia) | Study Geography of local area linking to rivers. |
| Year 3 | Italy How are the physical and human features of Italy (Region in Europe) similar/different to those in the UK? | Volcanoes Name and locate main volcanoes around the world (physical geography) and study their effects. (human geography) | Maps – link to local area and castle Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies. |
| Year 4 | Scandinavia Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region in a European country. | Rivers Describe and understand key aspects of rivers, and the water cycle. | Fieldwork (linked to Rivers) Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies. |
| Year 5 | Mexico Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region in a South American country. | Earthquakes and Tsunamis. Earthquake study – How, where and why they occur. Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography. | Fieldwork (linked to coasts) Use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies. |
| Year 6 | How are the physical and human features of Greece (Region in Europe) similar/different to those in the UK? Country study – Greece | Describe and understand key aspects of physical geography – Mountains To understand the mountain environment – What mountains are, how mountains are formed and where they are found in the world. | Skill 1 – Identify the position and significance of the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night) – ‘All Around the World’ Skill 2 – Use six figure grid references. |
Human & Physical Geography Prompts
Geography Progression of Skills
| EYFS | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | |
| Locational knowledge | Identify similarities and differences between places they are familiar with. | Name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas. | Name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans. Locate a Non-European country on a map of the world. (Australia) | Locate and name the countries within continents. Locate Italy on a map of the world. Locate and name the countries making up the British Isles, with their capital cities. Identify the position of countries in relation to the Equator, Northern and Southern. Hemisphere. Name and locate volcanoes on a map of the world. | Locate and name the countries within continents. Locate Scandinavia on a map. Locate the countries Norway, Denmark and Sweden on a map of Scandinavia and a map of the world. Identify the position of Scandinavia in relation to the Equator and Northern and Southern Hemisphere. Name and locate rivers on a map of the world in relation to their countries, continents and making reference to the Equator and Northern and Southern Hemisphere. (River Thames, River Nile and Amazon River) | Locate the main countries in North or South America. (focus on Mexico) Locate and name cities within a South American country (Mexico) Identify the position of South America in relation to the Equator and Northern and Southern Hemisphere. | Locate and name the countries within continent linking to the position of Northern and Southern Hemisphere, The Equator and Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. Identify the position and significance of latitude/longitude. Linking with science, time zones, night and day. Name and locate the key topographical features mountains. |
| Place knowledge | Understand where we live in Hylton Castle Estate. | Understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of hot and cold places. | Understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country (Australia) | Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, and a region in a European country (Italy) | Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, and a region in a European country (Scandinavia) | Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, and a region in North America. (Mexico) | Understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom, and a region in Europe (Greece) |
| Human and physical geography | Make observations about the environment and talk about things that change (link to weather and seasons) | Identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom. Identify the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to the human and physical geography of coastal regions. | Use geographical vocabulary to refer to key physical and human features of Sunderland and Sydney. Use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to the human and physical geography of rivers. | Describe and understand the formation of volcanoes. Use geographical vocabulary to refer to key physical and human features of Italy and The United Kingdom. Use geographical vocabulary to refer to the key physical and human features of the local area. | Describe and understand key aspects of: Physical geography including Rivers and the water cycle, Describe and understand key aspects of: Physical geography, including: vegetation zones in Scandinavia, rivers and how they are formed. | Describe and understand key aspects of Physical geography including Earthquakes and coasts. Describe and understand the physical features of coastal areas. Describe and understand the human features of coastal areas. | Describe and understand key aspects of Physical geography in relation to Mountains. Use geographical vocabulary to refer to the human and physical geography of mountains. |
| Map skills | Using maps Use a simple picture map to move around the school Use relative vocabulary such as bigger, smaller, like, dislike Use directional language such as near and far, up and down, left and right, forwards and backwards Map knowledge Use world maps to identify the UK in its position in the world. Use maps to locate the four countries and capital cities of UK and its surrounding seas. Locate on a globe and world map the hot and cold areas of the world including the Equator and the North and South Poles Making maps Draw basic maps, including appropriate symbols and pictures to represent places or features Use photographs and maps to identify features | Using maps Follow a route on a map Use simple compass directions (North, South, East, West) Use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features Map knowledge Locate and name on a world map and globe the seven continents and five oceans. Making maps Draw or make a map of real or imaginary places (e.g. add detail to a sketch map from aerial photograph) Use and construct basic symbols in a key | Using maps Follow a route on a map. Locate places using a range of maps including digital maps. Use 4 figure compasses, and letter/number co-ordinates to identify features on a map Map knowledge Locate the UK and Italy on a variety of maps. (Maps of the world from different perspectives, a globe, digital map/Google Earth) Locate Sunderland on a map of the UK. Locate Hylton Castle Estate on a digital map of Sunderland. Locate a selection of volcanoes on a world map, globe and digital maps including links to the tectonic plates. Making maps Make a map of a short route within the local area (from school to castle) Create a sketch map use standard symbols from a key accurately, and understand the importance of a key | Using maps Follow a route on a map (link to rivers) Locate places (link to rivers and Scandinavia) on a variety of maps (maps of the world from different perspectives, a globe, digital map/Google Earth) Identify features on an aerial photograph, digital or computer map Begin to use 8 figure compass directions and four figure grid references to identify features on a map Learn the eight points of a compass, four-figure grid references. Map knowledge Locate Europe on map or globe, Name and locate countries in Europe Making maps Recognise and use OS map symbols on a sketch map, creating a key to match the map. Show the formation of a river on a map from the source to the mouth of the river. | Using maps Compare maps with aerial photographs. Use atlases to find out other information (e.g. temperature) Find and recognise places on a range of maps (OS Maps using key, Sketch Map, Digital map) Use 8 figure compasses, begin to use 6 figure grid references. Map knowledge Locate the world’s countries, focus on North & South America identify the position and significance of lines of longitude & latitude, the equator, Northern and Southern Hemisphere. Locate where earthquakes occur on a map linking to the plate tectonics. Locate the North East’s coastal areas on a map of the UK. Making maps Draw a variety of maps based on their own data. Draw Recognise a variety of OS Map Symbols. Begin to accurately use OS Symbols. | Using maps Follow a short route on a OS map Describe the features shown on an OS map Use 8 figure compass and 6 figure grid reference accurately Use lines of longitude and latitude on maps Map knowledge Locate the world’s countries on a variety of maps, including the areas studied throughout the Key Stages Making maps Draw plans of increasing complexity Begin to use and recognise atlas symbols | |
| Fieldwork | Children describe their position compared to other things around them. | Use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their local area. Identifying the key human and physical features area of the surrounding coastal areas. | Use aerial photographs and plan perspectives to recognise landmarks and basic human and physical features; devise a simple map; and use and construct basic symbols in a key. Use simple compass directions (North, South, East and West) and locational and directional language [for example, near and far; left and right], to describe the location of features and routes on a map. | Accurately use the 4 points of a compass. 2 figure grid reference (maths co-ordinates), some basic symbols and key (including the use of a simplified Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and local area. Use fieldwork to observe and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies. | Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping (Google Earth) to locate and describe features studied (rivers) Use fieldwork to observe, measure and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies. | Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping mapping (Google Earth) to locate countries and describe features studied Use the eight points of a compass, four-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom – linking to coastal areas in the North East. Use fieldwork to observe, measure and record the human and physical features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, simplified OS Maps , plans and graphs, and digital technologies. | Use maps and digital maps to locate key features of the local area. Use 6 figure grid references to locate features of the local area on a map. |
Progression of Vocabulary.
| EYFS | YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 | YEAR 5 | YEAR 6 | |
| Locational vocabulary | Earth | The Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere | The Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere | The Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, North, South, East, West | The Equator, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, North, South, East, West, North East, North West, South East, South West. | The Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, North, South, East, West, North East, North West, South East, South West. | The Equator, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Northern Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, North, South, East, West, North East, North West, South East, South West. |
| Place knowledge | Hylton Castle Sunderland | Country, The United Kingdom, England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Belfast | Continent, North America, South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania/Australasia, | Continent, Europe, Country, City, Italy, France, Austria, Croatia, Mediterranean Sea | Northern Europe, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Scandinavia, Capital Cities, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki | Country, Continent, North America, South America, Mexico, Mexico City | Country, Continent, City, Greece, Athens, UK, England, London, |
| Human Geography | House, School | Harbour, Shop, House, Tourism, Land use | Land Use, Industry, Tourism, Harbour, Shop, House | Population, Settlements, Land Use, Economic Activity, Tourism | Population, Settlements, Land Use, Economic Activity, Tourism | Population, Settlements, Land Use, Economic Activity, Tourism | Population, Settlements, Land Use, Economic Activity, Tourism, Trade, Culture, Traditions. |
| Physical Geography | Grass, trees, weather, hot, cold | Sea, Land, Seasons, Weather, Climate, Hot, Cold, Temperature, Rainfall, Sun, Wind, Rain Beach, Cliff, Coast, Forest, Hill, Mountain, Sea, Ocean, River, Soil, Valley, Vegetation | Land, Sea, Ocean, , Climate, Weather Beach, Cliff, Coast, Forest, Hill, Mountain, Sea, Ocean, River, Soil, Valley, Vegetation, River | Volcano, Magma, Lava, Pyroclastic Flow, Shield Volcanoes, Composite Volcanoes, Dome Volcanoes, Ash, Crust, Mantle, Outer Core Inner Core | Waterfall, Meander, Erosion, Flood Plain, Deposition, Water Cycle, Riverbed, Drainage Basin, Current, Depth, Downstream Mountains, Lakes, | Earthquake, Tsunami, Cause, Tectonic Plates, Constructive, Destructive, Conservative, Subduction, Pressure, Friction, Seismic Waves, Richter Scale, Oceanic, Continental, Crust, Mantle | Islands, Mountains, Weather, Coastlines, Temperature, Weather, Climate , Vegetation Belts, , fold mountains, fault block mountains, volcanic mountains, hill, mountain range, peak, tree line, valley, tree line, elevation, range, summit, peak, face, valley, incline, peak, altitude, slope |
| Map Skills and Fieldwork | Directions | Globe, Earth, World Map, Sketch Map, Directions, Key, Data Collection. | Globe, Earth, World Map, Sketch Map, Directions, Key, Data Collection. | Globe, Earth, World Map, Sketch Map , Plate boundaries, Co-ordinates, Grid reference, Compass directions, Constructive plate, Destructive plate, Data Collection | Globe, Earth, World Map, Sketch Map, Co-ordinates, Grid reference, Compass directions, Data Collection | Globe, Earth, World Map, Sketch Map , Plate boundaries, Co-ordinates, Grid reference, Compass directions, Constructive plate, Destructive plate, OS Map, Symbols, 6 figure grid references,Ddata collection. | Globe, Earth, World Map, Sketch Map , Plate boundaries, Co-ordinates, Grid reference, Compass directions, Constructive plate, Destructive plate, OS Map, Symbols, 6 figure grid references Lines of longitude, Lines of latitude, time zones, Data Collection |