Geography at The Althorp Partnership of Primary Schools
At The Althorp Partnership of Primary Schools, our Geography curriculum helps children make sense of the world they live in and their place within it. Through exploring our local village environment and comparing it with places further afield, pupils develop curiosity, respect and a growing understanding of how people and places are connected.
We want our children to become confident geographers who can ask questions, investigate patterns, and understand how human actions shape the world around them.
Our Curriculum Journey
Intent
Our Geography curriculum aims to spark curiosity about the world and develop children’s understanding of both their local area and the wider world. We want pupils to explore change over time, understand human and physical features, and develop a sense of responsibility for caring for their environment.
Through real-life contexts and progressive learning, children build strong geographical knowledge, enquiry skills and an awareness of different cultures, communities and landscapes.
Implementation
Geography is taught through carefully sequenced units that build knowledge and skills step by step. Learning is rooted in real-life experiences, with frequent opportunities to explore our village setting and immediate surroundings.
Children take part in local fieldwork, map-reading activities and investigations both in school and beyond. They use maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping tools to explore places near and far, and develop enquiry skills by asking questions, collecting data and discussing environmental issues.
Skills are revisited and built upon as children progress, from simple map work in EYFS and KS1 to more complex geographical enquiry in KS2. Mixed-age classes provide opportunities for collaboration, discussion and shared discovery.
Impact
Children develop a strong sense of place and can confidently talk about their local area as well as contrasting locations around the world. They use geographical vocabulary accurately and apply their skills across different contexts.
Progress is seen through pupils’ ability to ask thoughtful questions, interpret maps and data, and explain how environments are shaped by both natural processes and human activity. Learning is celebrated through discussions, displays, fieldwork outcomes and whole-school projects.
Planning & Progression
Geography learning is carefully planned to ensure clear progression from EYFS through to Year 6. Knowledge and skills are revisited and deepened over time, allowing children to build secure understanding.
Geography in Action
In Geography lessons, learning often starts outdoors. Children explore our village environment, observe land use, and investigate human and physical features first-hand.
In the classroom, they work with maps, atlases and digital tools, compare places, and discuss real-world issues such as sustainability and environmental change. Geography is practical, collaborative and closely linked to children’s everyday experiences.