'Geography is a living breathing subject, constantly adapting itself to change. It is dynamic and relevant. For me, Geography is a great adventure with a purpose.'

Michael Palin

Why we teach your child geography:

Our aim is to give children a high-quality geography education to inspire a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.​We want children to develop their awareness of where they live and how is it similar and different to the world beyond them. It is important to us that the children at St. Joseph's gain an extensive base of geography knowledge and vocabulary so that they, as well-informed citizens, can express well-balanced opinions about current issues in society and the environment. What is more, the geographical skills they develop give them distinctive tools with which to successfully navigate and engage with their world. The valuing of personal experience of space and place lies at the heart of our geography curriculum. Overall, it is our aim to foster in our learners a genuine interest in Geography, change (locally and globally) and possible futures, which they will take to secondary school and beyond!

What our curriculum looks like:

Our geography curriculum is ambitious, and this starts right from Early Years. Using the content from the National Curriculum and the Early Years Framework, we have carefully sequenced our geography curriculum so children learn in a logical step by step manner.

In geography we have vertical links (themes or concepts woven within the fabric of the subject. They define the subject and are visited across the Year Groups) . Our curriculum is sequenced so children’s schemata grows through the connection of new knowledge with previous knowledge.

We have carefully mapped our curriculum, carefully considering some of the following:

• How is locational and place knowledge developed?
• How are physical and human processes developed?
• Is the curriculum planned in accessible step-by-step manner so children can build on previous learning?
• Are we enabling children to remember what is most important?
• How does our EYFS learning set the foundation for geography?
• Is fieldwork intertwined meaningfully throughout the curriculum?

How you can help your child at home:

EYFS and Key Stage 1

• Encourage your child to observe the world around them. On a walk talk about how some houses and buildings look older than others.
• Talk about your route to school or the shops. What do you see on the way? Can you draw what you see? Can you draw a simple may?
• Look at a map of the UK- where you do live? Have you lived anywhere else?

Key Stage 2

• Visit the National Geographic Kids for the most amazing videos and facts about our wonderful world, along with fun competitions, games and more!
• The Ordnance Survey Mapzone is full of lively online activities and games that children can play, which also develop their map skills and knowledge.
• Visit the Natural History Museum and explore the Volcanoes and Earthquakes section. Be sure to check out the earthquake simulator, showing what it was like during the 1995 Kobe, Japan earthquake