We believe that a broad understanding of human and physical geography is crucial to the children’s understanding of what it means to be a world citizen. We want children to understand how physical and human processes impact on each other and shape the world around us. Our curriculum has been planned to ensure that children become familiar with key geographical knowledge, skills and terminology that they can apply to local, national and international settings.
Children are taught humanities (either history or geography) in weekly lessons lasting at least an hour. Termly and half termly geography topics have been chosen to develop the children’s geographical knowledge and skills, building on what they have learnt in previous years and, where appropriate, linking with other areas of the curriculum. The geography curriculum takes the children from our local area, around Britain and then across the world. They take part in field work, learn to read, create and analyse maps and are taught to understand how land is used and how landscapes have changed over time.
Physical processes are covered in every year group so that children have a solid understanding of how rivers, mountains and volcanoes form as well as how humans interact with them. Children look carefully at climates, biomes and different landscapes (e.g. rainforests) so they can learn about how these environments impact on humans and how we can protect them for the future. Information about the curriculum is available here: geography overview.
Our aim is that children will leave St Michael’s knowledgeable about their local area and the world. They will be able to discuss issues affecting both themselves and people abroad and will have been exposed to a diverse range of topics that have allowed them to explore other parts of the world, how people live and human reliance on the landscapes around us. This will have engendered an understanding of different cultures as well as a curiosity and sense of responsibility for the world that we live in.