Communication • Creativity • Craft • Community

At John Wilkinson Primary School, our Geography curriculum inspires children to explore the world with curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking. Rooted in our local heritage and the PACE values of Passion, Ambition, Curiosity and Equity, pupils learn how people and places are connected across time and space. Through enquiry, fieldwork and real-world experiences, children develop the knowledge and confidence to care for their environment and shape a sustainable future.

Our Vision: Exploring the World, Shaping the Future

At John Wilkinson Primary School, we believe geography is more than studying places and maps – it’s about understanding the world and our role within it.
Our vision is to inspire children to explore the connections between people, places, and environments, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to make a positive impact.

By exploring diverse landscapes, cultures, and global challenges, children develop the confidence, empathy, and resilience to navigate an ever-changing world.
They won’t just learn about the world – they’ll be ready to shape it.

Our drivers shape what they learn; our values shape what they become.
Guided by our PACE values, our geography curriculum empowers children to think critically, act responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.

Intent: Inspiring Curious, Connected Learners

Our geography curriculum inspires children to explore the world with curiosity, empathy, and critical thinking.
Grounded in a knowledge-rich approach, it equips pupils with a deep understanding of places, environments, and the dynamic relationships between people and the planet.

Our curriculum is built around four core principles:

Communication
Geography empowers children to share their ideas confidently, using precise vocabulary and interpreting maps, graphs, and data. They learn to articulate complex concepts clearly, preparing them to engage meaningfully with real-world issues.

Creativity

 

Craft

 

Community
We explore the rich diversity of cultures and communities worldwide, fostering respect, empathy, and collaboration.
From local neighbourhoods to distant continents, children discover how people adapt, innovate, and thrive in different environments.

Implementation: Building Knowledge, Skills, and Confidence

We take a carefully sequenced approach, ensuring each year builds on prior learning.
In the Early Years, children begin by exploring their immediate surroundings, people, and communities through hands-on experiences.
This foundation allows them to confidently engage with more complex geographical ideas in Key Stages 1 and 2, moving from local to global study.

Key Features of Our Approach

Adaptive Teaching
Teachers use formative assessment to identify gaps and adjust teaching accordingly. Lessons are tailored through:

• Scaffolding and sentence stems
• Tiered vocabulary lists (Tier 2 and Tier 3)
• Technology such as Google Earth, Digimap, and virtual fieldwork
• Targeted adult support and flexible grouping

Retrieval Practice
Regular low-stakes quizzes, quick-fire questions, and knowledge organisers reinforce prior learning and strengthen memory over time.

Cognitive Load Management
New content is connected to prior knowledge and presented in manageable steps with visual support, step-by-step modelling, and clear success criteria.

Effective Feedforward
Feedback focuses on next steps and application. Pupils refine their thinking and apply their knowledge with increasing independence.

Vocabulary Development
Each unit includes explicit vocabulary instruction. High-frequency and subject-specific words are revisited and used in context to help pupils express geographical ideas clearly.

Real-World Connections
Fieldwork, virtual explorations, and cross-curricular links make geography tangible and relevant. Pupils explore local and global issues, promoting sustainability and responsible decision-making.

Our Local Geography and Heritage: Living Our Learning

At John Wilkinson Primary School, geography lives in the world around us.
Our pupils learn that understanding place begins with knowing where you belong.

Through local fieldwork, mapping, and heritage walks, children connect classroom learning to the landscape and history that surround them.
They discover that geography is not just something to study – it is something to experience, live, and belong to.

Impact: Confident, Knowledgeable Explorers

We assess pupils’ progress through ongoing teacher judgement and a range of formative and summative strategies.

How We Measure Success

• Quick Checks: Low-stakes quizzes and retrieval tasks assess understanding.
• Double-Page Spreads: Extended written tasks show synthesis of learning.
• Pupil Voice: Children discuss what they know and how their understanding is growing.
• Work Monitoring: Book looks, learning walks, and lesson visits ensure consistency and quality.

By the time children leave John Wilkinson Primary School, they have:

• A secure understanding of how physical and human processes shape the world.
• The ability to analyse environmental issues and propose sustainable solutions.
• Confidence in using maps, data, and vocabulary to communicate geographical ideas.
• Pride in their local heritage and an appreciation of global diversity.

Our pupils are curious, compassionate, and confident geographers who see themselves as active participants in shaping the world.
They won’t just learn about the world – they’ll be ready to shape it with knowledge, empathy, and resilience.

Our drivers shape what they learn; our values shape what they become.

Our Geography Long-Term Plan outlines a carefully sequenced journey from local to global understanding, ensuring pupils build secure knowledge, curiosity, and responsibility for the world they live in.

GEOGRAPHY LONG TERM PLAN

GEOGRAPHY PROGRESSION