Intent
We aim to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Geography; providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum; ensuring the progressive development of geographical concepts, knowledge and skills; and for the children to develop a love for geography. Teaching should equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. (The 2014 Primary National Curriculum in England)  

The aims of teaching geography in our school are:
• To inspire pupils’ curiosity to discover more about the world
• To enable children to know about  the location of the world’s continents, countries, cities,  seas and oceans.
• To develop in children the skills of interpreting a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
• To help children understand how the human and physical features of a place shape its location and can change over time.
• To provide opportunities to study mathematics across the curriculum through geography lessons

Implementation 
In line with Kapow's teaching scheme, Geography at Hagbourne is taught in blocks throughout the year, so that children can achieve depth in their learning. The Kapow Primary scheme is a spiral curriculum, with essential knowledge and skills revisited with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revise and build on their previous learning. Locational knowledge, in particular, will be reviewed in each unit to coincide with our belief that this will consolidate children’s understanding of key concepts, such as scale and place, in Geography. In Reception class, the children will have the opportunity to delve into Geography giving them a solid foundation of geographical skills, knowledge and enquiry for them to transition successfully onto Key stage 1 Geography learning, whilst also working towards the Development matters statements and Early Learning Goals.

Cross-curricular links are included throughout each unit, allowing children to make connections and apply their Geography skills to other areas of learning. The enquiry questions form the basis for our Key stage 1 and 2 units, meaning that pupils gain a solid understanding of geographical knowledge and skills by applying them to answer enquiry questions. Fieldwork includes smaller opportunities on the school grounds to larger-scale visits to investigate physical and human features.

Developing fieldwork skills within the school environment and revisiting them in multiple units enables pupils to consolidate their understanding of various methods. It also gives children the confidence to evaluate methodologies without always having to leave the school grounds and do so within the confines of a familiar place. This makes fieldwork regular and accessible while giving children a thorough understanding of their locality, providing a solid foundation when comparing it with other places.

Provision for all:

At Hagbourne school, the Geography curriculum is ambitious and designed to give all pupils, particularly disadvantaged pupils and including pupils with SEN and/or disabilities, the knowledge and cultural capital they need to succeed in life. We use strategies from the NASEN guidance to support our scaffolding within Geography teaching. This includes, but is not limited to the following list;

• Enlarged maps or resources and presenting information using a visualiser to show pupils where to complete a task, supporting teachers to address any misconceptions, model key concepts and celebrate the learning of all pupils regardless of their needs.
• Maps, atlases, artefacts, models and photographs are accessible and labelled clearly.
• Pre-teaching of key geographical vocabulary through making links to everyday language.

Impact: 
The impact and measure of this is to ensure that children are equipped with geographical skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as an adult in the wider world.
We want the children to have thoroughly enjoyed learning about geography, therefore encouraging them to undertake new life experiences now and in the future. 

How can I support my child with their Geography learning?

1. Go on a journey together

When out on a journey, either on foot or by car, share the road map or a map on a phone app to help your child follow the route, while you talk about where you are going. To build on their knowledge, you could ask them to draw their own map of their journey to school which includes any natural or man-made features along the way.

2.Out and about in your local area

Chat about local physical features, attractions and activities. You could even develop this idea by using role play, asking your child to be a tourist guide for the local area for visiting friends and relatives.

3. Holidays

Compare a different location with your home area. You could ask your child to talk through the similarities and differences, for example. Half terms and holidays also provide an opportunity for a museum visit or a trip to a tourist attraction. There are many free museums in our local area which are well worth a visit!

4. Books/TV/Internet

Some age-appropriate computer games can provide your child with a view of distant places and new countries. They enable your child to be transported instantly to another place. Prompt their thinking with questions, such as: What might the weather be like in this place? Why might the road have been built where it is? What might the time distance be? Questioning can then lead to many, rich Geographical discussions which can develop children's curiosity of the world around them.