Intent

At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we use the Kapow Primary Geography scheme to support and enrich our geography curriculum, providing ambitious, engaging and knowledge-rich learning experiences that inspire children to become curious, informed and responsible global citizens. We want pupils to develop a fascination with the world around them, building their understanding of places, people, environments and the processes that shape our planet.

We believe that geography helps children make sense of the world and their place within it. Through our geography curriculum, pupils develop knowledge of both physical and human geography, enabling them to understand how people and environments interact and how the world is interconnected. We encourage children to ask questions, investigate issues and think critically about local and global challenges.

The carefully sequenced curriculum develops pupils’ geographical knowledge progressively from EYFS to Year 6. Children explore the local area before extending their understanding to the wider United Kingdom and the world beyond. Through studying topics such as volcanoes, rainforests, Antarctica, rivers, oceans, deserts, energy and population change, pupils develop their understanding of diverse environments and geographical processes.

Implementation

The Kapow Primary Geography scheme provides full coverage of the National Curriculum through carefully sequenced units built around geographical enquiry. Learning develops progressively across the school and includes opportunities to study the local area, the United Kingdom and a range of global locations and environments.

Pupils develop their understanding through the key strands of:

• Locational knowledge
• Place knowledge
• Human and physical geography
• Geographical skills and fieldwork
• Geographical enquiry

Lessons are designed to engage pupils in active geographical investigation through map work, fieldwork, data collection, research, discussion, problem-solving and enquiry-based learning. Children use a variety of sources, including maps, aerial photographs, atlases, digital technologies and first-hand observations, to deepen their understanding and apply their geographical knowledge. Regular opportunities for retrieval practice help pupils make connections between topics and build secure long-term understanding.

Impact

The impact of the geography curriculum at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School is seen in pupils who are knowledgeable, curious and confident geographers. They develop a secure understanding of places, environments and geographical processes and can make links between their learning and the wider world.

By the time pupils leave St Joseph’s, they will:

• Understand key physical and human geographical features.
• Have a secure knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world.
• Use maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping with confidence.
• Apply fieldwork skills to investigate geographical questions.
• Understand how environments change and how people influence places.
• Recognise the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility.
• Use geographical vocabulary accurately and confidently.
• Draw conclusions and communicate findings using geographical evidence.
• Demonstrate curiosity about the world and an appreciation of different cultures and communities.

Through their geographical studies, pupils leave St Joseph’s equipped with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for future learning and active participation in an increasingly interconnected world.

Oracy

Geography provides rich opportunities for pupils to develop their speaking and listening skills. Pupils are encouraged to:

• discuss geographical issues and environmental challenges;
• explain observations and findings from fieldwork;
• present research and geographical enquiries;
• debate local, national and global issues;
• justify opinions using geographical evidence;
• ask and answer questions about places and environments;
• work collaboratively to solve geographical problems; and
• use precise geographical vocabulary when speaking.

These opportunities help children become confident communicators who can articulate their ideas clearly, listen respectfully to others and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.

Catholic Ethos

As a Catholic school, we encourage pupils to be good stewards of creation. Geography helps children develop respect for different people, cultures and environments while fostering a sense of responsibility for the world God has entrusted to us. We want all pupils to become knowledgeable, compassionate and environmentally aware citizens who understand the importance of sustainability and caring for others.

British Values

• Democracy: Exploring how communities make decisions about land use, sustainability, resources and environmental issues, while considering how people can work together to improve places and environments.
• Rule of Law: Understanding the responsibilities of individuals, communities and governments in protecting environments, managing resources and responding to geographical challenges.
• Individual Liberty: Developing the confidence to form and express views about geographical issues, such as sustainability, climate change and environmental responsibility, whilst respecting the opinions of others.
• Mutual Respect: Learning about diverse places, cultures and communities around the world, fostering respect for people whose lives, beliefs and experiences may differ from their own.
• Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs: Exploring how people live in different environments and communities, helping children develop an understanding of and appreciation for different cultures, traditions and ways of life across the globe.