Geography is taught in the school in accordance with the National Curriculum 2000 orders. This policy document updates and replaces any previous policy used by the school.

Geography provokes and answers questions about the natural and human worlds.

It develops knowledge of places and environments, an understanding of maps and a range of investigative and problem solving skills which prepare pupils for adult life.

It is a link between the natural and social sciences as, through the study of geography, pupils encounter different societies and cultures. This can encourage them to think about their own place in the world, their values, and their rights and responsibilities to other people and the environment.

Through our teaching of geography we aim to:

· Stimulate pupils’ interest in and curiosity about the world around them.

· Develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of places in local, regional, national, international and global contexts.

· Develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of both the physical and human elements of geography.

· Develop pupils’ competence in specific geographical skills.

· Help pupils acquire and develop the skills and confidence to undertake investigation, problem solving and decision-making.

· Provide opportunities for links with the wider curriculum including developing literacy and numeracy skills and use of ICT through the study of geography places and themes.

· Enable pupils to explore their role as citizens and their responsibilities for local and global environmental quality.

· Support pupils’ personal and social development through geographical study, exploring the issues of spiritual, moral, cultural and social education.

The National Curriculum 2000 for Geography requires that Geographical enquiry and skills are used when developing knowledge and understanding of places, patterns and processes, and environmental change and sustainable development. These, in turn, are taught through the study of two localities – one in the UK

- one in a less economically developed country (LEDC) and three themes – water - settlements - environment issues and sustainability

Geography should take up about 30 hours of curriculum time per year (about 50 minutes per week).

The school has a scheme of work that is under constant review. It shows what is to be taught and when it is taught, the learning outcomes, and assessment opportunities. The QCA has provided a scheme of work that the school can use to supplement and augment its own. Geography is taught by the class teacher, and is usually delivered through blocked units or topics, but there are also occasions when specific subject lessons are more appropriate to ensure progression in skills.

There are many opportunities to link geography with other curriculum areas – literacy, numeracy, science and ICT in particular lend themselves to overlap – and geography can also support PSHE and citizenship, encouraging pupils to "think globally and act locally".

The National Curriculum requires that ICT, enquiry and fieldwork have important roles in the delivery of the geography curriculum.

Opportunities for the use of ICT will be promoted. These will include:

· Use of commercially produced geographical software (e.g. mapping packages).

· Communication and information gathering using the Internet and e-mail.

· Data gathering by means of digital or video cameras and tape recorders.

· Presentation and manipulation of data using word processors and spreadsheets.

Geographical enquiry places the process of pupils asking and answering questions at the centre of their studies. When finding answers, pupils should be guided to collect, select, interpret, analyse and communicate/present information.

Fieldwork allows pupils to gain first-hand experience of investigative aspects of the geography curriculum. It provides a live context in which to introduce and apply skills previously learnt in the classroom and includes any activity that takes place outside the classroom. Pupils should develop their fieldwork skills through a variety of environments and approaches at different scales and distances from school.

Relevant health and safety issues as outlined in the school’s policy and requirements of the LEA and DfEE should be considered when planning fieldwork.

Pupil’s progress will be assessed and monitored during the year through normal teacher planning and observation. The National Curriculum 2000 provides attainment targets for geography levels 1 to 8 plus exceptional performance and it is expected that pupils would generally be working in the range of level 2 to 5 although there may be some working above and below the range. The QCA schemes of work provide

Individual teacher records will chart progress. A whole school record of areas/topics will be kept to assist with future planning for continuity and progression.

Reporting to parents is done through parental interviews and an annual written report, and can cover the pupil’s attitude to geography, their competence in geographical skills and ability to apply them to new work, their ability to ask geographical questions (enquiry), and their knowledge and understanding of places, patterns and processes, and environmental change and sustainable development.

All pupils will be given equal access to the geography curriculum irrespective of their gender, ethnicity and social background to enable them to develop to their full potential. Developments will be in line with the school policy on equal opportunities.

All pupils should have access to materials and opportunities appropriate to their specific needs. Differentiation in terms of learning objectives, tasks, teaching methods and resources will be included in the planning stage to suit the needs of individual pupils. Exceptionally able pupils need to be challenged with open-ended tasks that provide opportunities to tackle more complex issues and use a wider range of resources. The needs of specific pupils will be provided for in line with the school’s policy on SEN.

This document will be regularly updated and take account of any future developments in the subject.

The co-ordinator will also monitor and evaluate the teaching and learning of the subject and report regularly to the senior management team and the governing body.

Send mail to jshort@suttonlea.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2002 Camden Junior School
Last modified: August 29, 2007