Geography at Cardinham
Intent
At Cardinham School, we believe that developing a deep understanding of our planet empowers children to become informed, responsible citizens who recognise the impact of their choices on the world around them. Through our geography curriculum, we inspire curiosity, awe and wonder about both the natural and human environments, encouraging children to develop a lifelong fascination with the Earth and their place within it.
We aim to equip pupils with a secure knowledge of globally significant places and an understanding of the physical and human processes that shape our world. Through studying diverse environments and communities, children develop an appreciation of different cultures, landscapes and ways of life. We encourage pupils to think critically about contemporary geographical issues and understand the interconnected nature of the world's environments, economies and societies.
Alongside developing substantive knowledge, children build the geographical skills needed to confidently collect, analyse and interpret data, undertake meaningful fieldwork, use maps and digital technologies effectively, and communicate their findings using accurate geographical vocabulary. Through these experiences, they become increasingly confident geographers who can ask questions, investigate issues and draw informed conclusions.
Implementation
Our Geography Curriculum is carefully planned and sequenced to ensure progression in knowledge, skills and vocabulary across all year groups. We use Oddizzi to support planning and provide engaging, up-to-date resources, including interactive maps, aerial photography, diagrams, online encyclopaedias, virtual postcards, quizzes and video content that bring geographical learning to life.
Fieldwork forms a central part of our Geography Curriculum, enabling children to apply their learning in meaningful and authentic contexts. Opportunities include exploring the local environment in Key Stage 1, investigating land-use changes within Cardinham and the surrounding area in Key Stage 2, and examining the impact of local industries on communities and environments.
To support learning and long-term retention, every unit includes:
- A knowledge organiser containing key facts, concepts, maps, diagrams and vocabulary.
- Retrieval quizzes to strengthen understanding and recall.
- Opportunities to study and interpret a range of geographical sources.
- Fieldwork activities and first-hand experiences wherever possible.
- A carefully sequenced series of lessons that build knowledge and skills progressively.
- Meaningful opportunities to develop map-reading, data analysis and enquiry skills.
Knowledge organisers are shared in school and at home, allowing families to engage with and support children's learning.
We are committed to ensuring that geography is accessible and ambitious for every pupil. Teachers carefully consider the needs of all learners and make appropriate adaptations through scaffolding, modelling, multi-sensory approaches, technology, adult support and flexible recording methods. Assessment opportunities are varied and inclusive, enabling all children to demonstrate their understanding and make progress. Geographical learning also provides valuable opportunities to develop communication, reading and writing skills across the curriculum.
Impact
Our Geography Curriculum develops confident, curious and knowledgeable geographers who understand the world around them and their role within it. As children progress through the school, they build a strong foundation of locational, place-based and environmental knowledge while developing the skills needed to think critically about geographical issues and communicate their understanding effectively.
By the time pupils leave Cardinham School, they will be able to:
- Demonstrate a secure understanding of key geographical knowledge and concepts.
- Explain the relationship between physical and human processes and how these shape landscapes and environments.
- Use geographical vocabulary accurately and confidently.
- Apply mapping, fieldwork and enquiry skills to investigate places and environments.
- Communicate geographical information effectively through a range of methods.
- Show curiosity about the wider world and an understanding of global citizenship.
We evaluate the impact of our curriculum through:
- Ongoing formative assessment during lessons.
- Retrieval quizzes and knowledge checks to assess long-term retention.
- KWL grids, mind maps and pre-learning activities that identify prior knowledge and progress.
- Pupil voice interviews and discussions about learning.
- Monitoring of books and learning outcomes.
- Observations, photographs and videos of practical fieldwork and enquiry-based activities.
- Whole-class feedback and opportunities for reflection and improvement.
- Subject leader monitoring and curriculum review to ensure progression, consistency and high standards across the school.
How You Can Help Your Child at Home
There are many simple ways to encourage geographical thinking beyond the classroom.
When exploring your local area, talk about physical features such as rivers, hills and woodlands, as well as human features such as roads, buildings and local businesses. Encourage your child to think about how people use the land and how places change over time.
On journeys, invite your child to follow a route using a map or navigation app. You could also ask them to draw a map of a familiar journey, including key landmarks and features.
When visiting new places, encourage them to compare locations with Cardinham, discussing similarities and differences in landscapes, climate, land use and culture.
Magazines, documentaries, news reports, books and digital resources are also excellent ways of exploring distant places and current geographical issues. Asking questions such as "Why do people live here?", "How has this landscape been formed?" or "How might this place change in the future?" can help develop geographical curiosity and understanding.
Useful websites include:
- Ordnance Survey MapZone
- National Geographic Kids
- BBC Bitesize Geography
Through these shared experiences, children can develop a greater appreciation of the world around them and strengthen the geographical knowledge and skills they learn at school.