In Geography, we intend to equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We hope to inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.

In the EYFS at Cassiobury Infants, we aim to ensure that all pupils:

• explore and respond to different natural phenomena in their setting and on trips
• draw information from a simple map
• understand that some places are special to members of their community
• explore the natural world around them
• recognise some environments that are different to the one in which they live
• understand the effects of changing seasons on the natural world around them
• know that there are different countries in the world and talk about the differences they have experienced or seen in photos

KS1:

In Key Stage One, we look at the key geographical skills as set out in the National Curriculum (2014); locational knowledge, place knowledge, human and physical geography and geographical skills and field work.

Locational Knowledge

Pupils will learn about the North and South Poles, the Equator, 4 compass points, N,S,E,W.

• Global – name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans
• UK – name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas

Place Knowledge

Pupils will learn geographical similarities and differences of a small area of the United Kingdom, and a small area in a contrasting non-European country.

• Locality – Pupils will focus on the area in which they live their everyday lives. This encompasses where the children live, go to school, places they visit such as a local park, shops or place of worship.

Human and physical geography

Pupils will learn to identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles.

• Key Geographical vocabulary – Pupils will learn what physical and human features are and use the vocabulary to name and label features
• Physical features include: beach, cliff, coast, forest, hill, mountain, sea, ocean, river, soil, valley, vegetation, season and weather
• Human features include: city, town, village, factory, farm, house, office, port, harbour and shop

Geographical skills and fieldwork

Pupils will learn to identify places using maps, atlases, globes, aerial images and plan perspectives, make maps, devise basic symbols, fieldwork and use geographical vocabulary.

• The importance of maps – use world maps, atlases and globes to locate the United Kingdom and its countries. Pupils will also identify countries, continents and oceans studied in Year 1 and 2.  They will also devise a simple map and construct a basic key. 
• Applying geographical skills – use simple geographical directions to describe locations, use aerial photographs to plan perspectives to recognise landmarks, basic human and physical features.
• Using a compass – find directions (North, South, East and West) and use locational and directional language eg. Near and far, left and right, to describe location of features and routes on a map.