Geography
Learning geography at Christ Church School is a rich, engaging and immersive experience that helps children make sense of the world around them. Our curriculum is designed to spark curiosity, develop critical thinking and encourage pupils to explore both familiar and unfamiliar places. Through carefully sequenced learning, children gain a secure understanding of human and physical geography while building the essential skills needed to interpret, question and appreciate the diverse environments that shape our planet.
Our intent is to ensure that every child becomes a confident, knowledgeable and inquisitive geographer. We aim for pupils to develop strong locational knowledge, recognise patterns across different regions and understand the relationships between people, places and the environment. We also strive to nurture a sense of responsibility, helping children appreciate the importance of sustainability and their role in caring for the world they live in. By the end of their primary journey, pupils will have the skills and understanding needed to continue geography successfully at secondary level and beyond.
To achieve this, our implementation provides a wide range of high-quality, hands-on learning opportunities. Children explore their immediate surroundings through local area fieldwork, where they learn to observe, measure and record geographical features. Residential trips in years 5 and 6 give pupils the chance to develop their map work skills in real outdoor environments, where they can apply their knowledge to navigate, solve problems and reflect on geographical processes. In addition, we harness digital geographical systems such as online mapping tools which allow children to investigate distant locations, compare environments and analyse data in an interactive and meaningful way.
Across all year groups, teaching is carefully structured to build on prior knowledge, deepen understanding and promote independence. Lessons are enriched with practical activities, high-quality resources, engaging texts and discussion-based learning. Children learn to use a range of geographical vocabulary, interpret maps of increasing complexity and evaluate geographical issues from multiple perspectives. Teachers model curiosity and questioning, encouraging pupils to think like geographers and develop their own ideas.
The impact of our geography curriculum is reflected in the enthusiasm, confidence and understanding shown by our pupils. They are able to talk clearly about what they have learned, make connections across topics and apply their skills in both familiar and new contexts. Their fieldwork is purposeful, their map skills are secure and their appreciation of different places and cultures is thoughtful and respectful. Ultimately, our curriculum ensures that children leave us with a strong geographical foundation, a sense of global awareness and a lifelong interest in exploring and understanding the world.
