Intent

“The study of geography is more than just memorising places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world and appreciating the diversity of cultures that exist across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together.” - Barack Obama

Our Geography curriculum aims to inspire children’s curiosity and a lifelong fascination with the world and its people. Through the study of diverse places, cultures, and environments, we seek to nurture an appreciation for global diversity and promote respect, understanding, and responsible citizenship within a multicultural society.

A key focus of our curriculum is helping children develop a deep connection with, and appreciation for, their local environment — particularly the unique landscape, heritage, and biodiversity of the Lizard Peninsula. We believe that by learning about the distinctive features of their immediate surroundings, children gain a strong sense of place and a foundation for understanding broader geographical concepts.

Fieldwork is an essential and valued part of our Geography curriculum. It provides children with practical, hands-on opportunities to explore, observe, and investigate their environment. Through fieldwork, children develop critical geographical skills, deepen their understanding of both physical and human processes, and learn to ask and answer meaningful questions about the world around them.

Our curriculum encourages a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes, alongside an awareness of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and global citizenship. Children explore the relationship between people and the environment and are supported to develop a sense of stewardship for the planet.

Designed to be both progressive and transferable, our curriculum builds geographical knowledge, skills, and confidence across all year groups. With a strong emphasis on Global Learning, our approach promotes inquiry, critical thinking, and independent research - empowering children to explore, reflect, and better understand the world and their place within it.

In Reception, geography is taught as an integral part of the theme work covered during the year. We relate the geographical aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the Early Years curriculum. Geography makes a significant contribution to the Early Learning Goal objectives of developing a child’s understanding of the world through activities such as finding out about different places and habitats and investigating our locality.  Skills of curiosity are encouraged through the Characteristics of Effective Learning.