Geography
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“What is our knowledge worth if we know nothing about the world that sustains us?” - Jonathon Porritt
We recognise the importance of helping children develop a broad understanding of our world and the diverse cultures within it. This understanding fosters respect for the environment and the rich variety of cultures that shape our planet. We aim to inspire a passion for Geography and nurture curiosity about the world and its people. Through this, pupils learn to express balanced, informed opinions grounded in knowledge of current social and environmental issues.
Our curriculum is designed to nurture the essential skills of geographers:
- A strong knowledge of locations and their characteristics
- An understanding of how places are connected and interdependent
- An extensive base of geographical knowledge and vocabulary
- Fluency in geographical enquiry, including the use of effective analytical and presentational techniques
- The ability to draw clear conclusions and develop reasoned arguments
- Practical experience in fieldwork and outdoor learning
We adopt a content- and skills-based approach to learning, encouraging children to develop personal qualities that are vital in the 21st century. These qualities help pupils adapt to an ever-changing world and reflect our federation values of Wisdom, Curiosity, Generosity, Courage and Passion.
Geography Curriculum Intent
Our Geography curriculum intends to:
- Inspire pupils to develop a passion for the world around them, cultivating an understanding of the interaction between the physical and human environment
- Enable pupils to explore geographical theories and concepts at a range of scales within the classroom, while developing the confidence to apply their learning beyond their local environment
- Develop informed global citizens who understand the direct and indirect impact they can have on future societies, economies, and environments
- Encourage pupils to be curious about their own choices, decisions, and opinions within both local and global communities. Geography promotes tolerance, generosity, and compassion by encouraging pupils to view the world from different perspectives
- Develop geographical thinking that supports wise decision-making, enquiry skills, and resilience when responding to a variety of challenges
- Enable pupils to make links and transfer skills across humanities, science, mathematics, and the creative arts, helping them gain a deeper understanding of their role within the wider world
We believe learning should be both enjoyable and challenging. Our Geography curriculum provides a range of engaging, stimulating and rigorous learning opportunities that encourage pupils to explore, think critically and develop a lifelong interest in the world around them.
The Essential Characteristics of a Witham Geographer
At The Priory Witham Academy, our ambition for all pupils is for them to master the following characteristics:
- A passion for and commitment to the subject and a real sense of curiosity about the world and the people who live there.
- Be well practised in fieldwork and geographical skills.
- Be an imaginative, curious and critical thinker of key geographical issues.
- Understand and participate in sustainability in their community.
- Have a tolerance, appreciation and compassion for a range of other cultures and societies.
- Take responsibility for their own actions and acknowledge consequences for others and the environment.
- Have the courage to contribute effectively to discussions and debates about key geographical issues.
- Excellent knowledge of key places in a local, national and international context.
- Explain the interconnectedness between the natural and human world.