Intent

At St. Edward’s our Geography curriculum places children at the heart of learning, enabling then to develop a deep understanding of the world God created and their responsibility to care for it. Rooted in our Catholic faith and inspired by Catholic Social Teaching, Geography empowers children to recognise their role as global citizens who value stewardship, justice and compassion.

Our curriculum intent ensures that all children:

• Become curious, confident and articulate geographers who can ask questions, discuss ideas and use rich geographical vocabulary.
• Develop secure locational knowledge, understanding of physical and human processes, and the ability to make meaningful connections across places, cultures and environments.
• Learn to think critically about the world, recognising inequality, environmental responsibility and the dignity of all people.
• Build independence as learners who can interpret maps, analyse data and draw informed conclusions.
• Experience an inclusive curriculum that is ambitious for all, carefully adapted to meet diverse needs and ensure every child belongs and thrives.
• Engage in meaningful, memorable learning that connects classroom knowledge to the wider world through fieldwork, enquiry and real-life contexts.

These aims reflect our whole-school commitment to high expectations, wellbeing, spiritual growth, and nurturing children who are ready to contribute positively to society.

---

Implementation

Geography is implemented through high-quality teaching that is coherently planned, sequenced and enriched with purposeful experiences.

Our approach ensures:

1. Learning is carefully sequenced so pupils build knowledge over time, revisiting key concepts such as place, space, scale, environment and sustainability.
2. Teachers use a high-quality scheme and clear long-term and medium-term plans, ensuring rigour, consistency and progression from EYFS to Year 6.
3. Lessons are adapted to meet the needs of all learners, providing access, challenge and support so every child can succeed.
4. Oracy is central: children explain processes, justify opinions and use geographical vocabulary confidently.
5. Fieldwork is embedded across the school, enabling children to observe, measure, record and interpret geographical information first-hand.
6. Opportunities for critical thinking and creativity encourage pupils to question, reflect and apply their learning to real-world issues such as climate change, sustainability and global inequality.
7. Enrichment experiences – trips, outdoor learning and community links – deepen understanding and develop cultural capital.
8. Pupil leadership roles (e.g. Eco Group, School Council) strengthen responsibility, independence and active citizenship.
9. Subject leadership ensures ongoing monitoring, evaluation and development of Geography, maintaining high expectations while supporting sustainable staff workload.

This reflects our whole-school commitment to a curriculum that is inclusive, values-based, coherent and ambitious.

---

Impact

The impact of our Geography curriculum is seen in the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values our children demonstrate.

Children leave St. Edward’s:

• With a secure understanding of the world, its diverse people, environments and processes.
• As articulate, independent and critical thinkers who can interpret geographical information, ask meaningful questions and draw informed conclusions.
• With a strong sense of stewardship, recognising their responsibility to care for God’s creation and contribute positively to their community and the wider world.
• As confident, resilient and well-rounded individuals who can apply their learning to real-world contexts.

Across the school, children demonstrate:

• Strong progress in geographical knowledge and skills, supported by high-quality teaching and inclusive practice.
• The ability to connect learning to real-life situations, making Geography meaningful, purposeful and relevant.
• Positive attitudes to learning, underpinned by curiosity, confidence and a love of exploring the world.

These outcomes reflect the success of our whole-school curriculum in nurturing children who thrive academically, socially, emotionally and spiritually.