Intent

At Bretherton Endowed C of E Primary School, Geography is taught through the National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. As part of our commitment to providing a rich and relevant curriculum, we have moved away from the Cornerstones Curriculum package and developed our own bespoke Geography curriculum with the support of a school adviser. Our aim is to inspire in all pupils a lifelong curiosity and fascination about the world and its people.

Through Geography, we seek to develop pupils’ knowledge of places, people, resources, and both natural and human environments. We encourage children to deepen their understanding of how physical and human geography interact to shape the landscapes and environments around us. We also promote an awareness of current global issues, such as climate change, helping pupils to understand their role as responsible and informed citizens. In addition, we place great value on developing pupils’ knowledge and appreciation of Bretherton and Lancashire and how our local area has changed over time.

Implementation

Geography is taught through a range of engaging and purposeful learning experiences that build knowledge and skills progressively across the school. Children explore and compare our local area with locations across the United Kingdom and around the world through the use of maps, atlases, photographs, digital technology, and non-fiction texts.

Current affairs and topical issues are used to develop pupils’ global awareness and to help them make meaningful connections between their learning and the wider world. Wherever possible, geographical learning is enriched through fieldwork opportunities within the local and surrounding area, allowing pupils to investigate real-life environments firsthand. We also welcome visitors into school who can share their experiences and expertise, further enhancing children’s understanding of the diversity of our planet and the people who live on it.

Impact

By the time pupils leave Bretherton Endowed C of E Primary School, they will have developed a secure understanding of geographical concepts, knowledge, and skills. They will be confident in using geographical vocabulary, maps, atlases, and fieldwork techniques to investigate and explain the world around them. Pupils will understand how physical and human processes shape different environments and will recognise the connections between people, places, and the wider world.

Children will leave our school with a strong sense of place, an appreciation of their local community and heritage, and an awareness of global issues that affect our planet. Most importantly, they will have developed the curiosity, confidence, and understanding needed to continue exploring and engaging with the world throughout their lives.