At The Russell School, geography helps our children to develop an understanding of the natural and human worlds.

Geography stimulates our children’s interest in the world, both in its immediate and wider context, enabling them to make sense of their own surroundings. It helps children to develop an understanding of the world, as well as their place in it. We provide all children with the geographical knowledge and cultural capital that they need to succeed. 

At The Russell School, our geography curriculum enables our children

• to explore the variety of physical and human conditions on the Earth's surface, as well as understand diverse places, people, resources and environments
• to develop a sense of identity through learning about the United Kingdom and its relationships with other countries
• to investigate questions and provide them with answers about the natural and human aspects of the world
• to collect, analyse, interpret and communicate data in a geographical way, through fieldwork, that deepens their understanding and enables them to explain the processes that create, shape and influence our environments
• to develop an informed concern about the quality of the environment and its impact on our future

Our stimulating and engaging geography curriculum is underpinned by The National Curriculum, our Imaginative Learning Projects and our strong system of school values. It supports a cohesive structure for inclusive learning and fosters a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty within our school environment, our local area and the wider world.

In Key Stage One, children investigate their local area and begin to learn about the wider world. They begin to formulate geographical questions about people, places and environments and use resources such as maps and photographs to aid their understanding. In Year One, children study our local environment, relating it to London's place in England and the wider world. They also learn about seasonal and daily weather patterns. In Year Two, children investigate and explore further world geography.

In Key Stage Two, our children investigate a variety of people, places and environments both in the United Kingdom and abroad and start to make links between different places. They examine the relationship between people and the environment and begin to carry out geographical enquiry. In Year Three, we develop our knowledge of the world and study the physical geography of volcanoes and earthquakes. In Year Four, we extend our knowledge of mapwork and our understanding of places by exploring some of the world's oceans, rivers and mountains.

Upper Key Stage Two, Year Five and Year Six, contrast very different areas of the world to our own locality. In doing this, we make extensive use of maps, atlases and Google Earth. We develop our understanding of the eight points of a compass and grid references. We investigate the the Arctic and Antarctic through its physical geography. We make an in-depth study of beaches and coastal erosion, as well as analysing a further example of a contrasting locality in our residential visits. 

Progression of Knowledge and Skills in Geography

EYFS Knowledge and Skills in Understanding the World