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The aim of geography at St. John Fisher is to teach an understanding of places and environments. Geography helps children to make sense of their surroundings and the wider world. By studying their local environment and other areas, children learn about people and places and the interrelationships between them. They come to understand the natural and human processes and patterns present in these environments, and they can learn to appreciate the similarities and differences between places. Geography also provides opportunities to acquire a range of investigative, graphical and other skills.
At St. John Fisher geography is taught through themes that make connections across various areas of learning. Geography enhances the teaching of English in our school and opportunities are provided so that reading and writing skills are promoted. The teaching of geography in our school contributes to children’s mathematical understanding in a variety of ways. We teach children about space, scale and distance and also to use graphs to explore, analyse and illustrate a variety of data. Geography contributes significantly to the teaching of PSHE and citizenship. The children learn about matters of social welfare such as how environments have changed for the better or for the worse.
The geography topics taught at St. John Fisher build upon prior learning and offer increasing challenge to children as they move up the school. During key stage 1 the children develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness. In key stage 2 the children extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They should develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge.
