Introduction

At Sedlescombe we believe that through the teaching of geography our children will be inspired to have a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, which will continue to grow throughout their lives.

Geography is a subject packed with excitement and dynamism that synthesises aspects of the world and helps us to better understand its people, places and environments, and the interactions between them. Geography also helps us understand how and why places are changing, and to better imagine, predict and work towards, likely and preferred futures. Underpinning all of this is a strong spatial component that deepens our understanding of what places are like, why and how they are connected, and the importance of location.

As Dr. Rita Gardner, Director, RGS-IBG quoted in A Different View (Geographical Association, 2009) “Geography prepares young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to make sense of their world and to face the challenges that will shape our societies and environments at the local, national and global scales.”

National Curriculum

The National Curriculum 2014 for geography aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places- both terrestrial and marine-including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes
• Understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time
• Are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
  • Collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of field work that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
  • Interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • Communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length

Our Vision for Geography

Aspiration

It is our aim to encourage children to aspire to be the best geographers that they can be and to develop a love and respect for the world in which they live. It is hoped that this respect will develop an aspiration in our children to take positive action to protect their environment for future generations to enjoy.

Creativity

To be well rounded creative citizens, we believe children need to understand and respect different places in the world and their cultures and be able to recognise how these change over time. The study of geography teaches children to respect the world in which they live and to be creative in thinking about solutions to problems in the world created by the interaction between humans and the physical environment.

Curiosity

Through the teaching of geography we aim to develop a life-long curiosity in both the children’s immediate surroundings and in places and environments in the wider world. We hope that the children will be curious as to how the world is changing and how they can help to protect and preserve the world for future generations

Courage

Geographical study can lead to children asking big questions about the world. This gives children the courage to ask questions and to seek answers and then hopefully to take action to make changes where they see change is needed. This supports children to be courageous in their thoughts, problem solving and actions.

Cooperation

In our teaching of geography we aim to provide our children with as many opportunities as possible to use a range of geographical skills to help them understand, present, analyse and communicate a range of information by working collaboratively to develop children’s ability to cooperate successfully.

Independence

Our aim is to instil an interest, fascination and desire in the children to investigate a variety of human and physical characteristics of different places, both local and afar, through purposeful research and careful questioning. The study of geography supports children to develop their independence as a learner both inside and outside the classroom through local fieldwork and trips.