Geography

Welcome to Geography at Saltdean

Geographers at Saltdean:

Demonstrate a passion and curiosity for discovering more about the world and its physical and human features.

Have a secure knowledge of their local area, as well as of places across Britain and around the world.
Possess the ability to investigate patterns and relationships between the physical features of places and the human activity within them, as well as how places are interdependent and connected.
Are able to communicate geographically, using vocabulary and terminology appropriate to their age.
Demonstrate the skills to enquire, question, interpret and analyse geographically.
Possess the skills to create a balanced argument in order to present findings.
Show consideration when expressing opinions based on a comprehensive understanding of present and past geographical issues.
Possess the ability to undertake fieldwork to explore and a place and its physical and human features.
Understand that we belong to our world and show consideration in ensuring we live sustainably and look after our environment.
Demonstrate the values of Belonging, Resilience, Integrity, Consideration and Curiosity in their learning.

Our curriculum for Geography has three clear strategic pathways:

The children’s knowledge of the world, including their knowledge of maps, places and directions starts with the biggest picture: the seven continents, the five oceans and the four points of the compass. As the children move through their primary curriculum, this focus sharpens to look in increasing detail at countries, regions, cities and localities; seas, coasts, lakes, rivers and streams; and subdivisions.

Fieldwork is the second pathway through Geography at Saltdean. Pupils study their immediate environment by exploring the school grounds, before moving into the local area – the local shops, the park and the beach. Once their basic skills are secure, they will explore more distant locations, such as the city of Brighton, the Cuckmere Valley and a working farm.

The final pathway is the development of their knowledge of physical and human processes, such as the formation of landscapes or the development of settlements. Their understanding of these processes starts with their immediate experience and environment, before extending to the wider world and to environments which are very different to their own.

Key Stage 1

In Key Stage 1, geography learning begins with essential skills and knowledge projects (Our Wonderful World in Year 1 and Let’s Explore the World in Year 2). Teaching these projects in Years 1 and 2 enables children to be introduced to, or revisit, critical geographical concepts, aspects, skills and knowledge. These projects prepare children for the study of more thematic geography projects. In the spring term of Year 1, children study the project Rio De Vida, and in the summer term Bright Lights, Big City. These projects introduce children to the geography of urban environments and the physical and human features of the United Kingdom and Brazil. In the spring term of Year 2, children carry out a detailed study of coastal geography in the project Coastline. This project introduces children to the geography of coastal environments and provides children with the opportunity for in-depth coastal fieldwork.

Lower Key Stage 2

In Lower Key Stage 2, children begin with essential skills and knowledge projects (One Planet, Our World in Year 3 and Interconnected World in Year 4). Teaching these projects in Years 3 and 4 enables children to further develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and prepares them to study more thematic geography projects in the following term. In the spring term of Year 3, children study the project Rocks, Relics and Rumbles, which explores physical features and geographical phenomena, including earthquakes and volcanoes. In contrast, in the spring term of Year 4, children carry out a detailed study of the physical features of mountains and rivers, which includes opportunities for in-depth fieldwork.

Upper Key Stage 2

In Upper Key Stage 2, children again begin with essential skills and knowledge projects (Investigating Our World in Year 5 and Our Changing World in Year 6). Teaching these projects in Years 5 and 6 enables children to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding of key geographical aspects and concepts and prepares them to study more thematic geography projects in the following term. In the summer term of Year 5, children study the seasonal project Sow, Grow and Farm, which explores farming, agriculture and rural land use. In Autumn 2 and Spring 1, Year 6 children study the polar regions in the project Frozen Kingdoms. The project includes an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of these regions, including environmental issues.