Geography
Our Geography Curriculum has been sequenced and mapped deliberately and coherently. Through Rising Stars, we aim to teach high quality, well thought out and knowledge rich lessons that demonstrate progression.
Intent
At Rectory C.E. Primary School, we believe that Geography is a powerful, investigative subject that helps children make sense of the world around them. It encourages pupils to ask questions, explore their environment, and develop a deep understanding of both the natural and human aspects of our planet.
Our aim is to inspire curiosity and fascination about the world and its people—an interest that we hope will stay with children throughout their lives. Through enquiry-based learning, we promote exploration of:
🌐 Diverse places and cultures
🏞️ Natural and human environments
🌋 Key physical and human processes
🌾 Resources and how they shape our world
Our curriculum is designed to be engaging, purposeful, and thought-provoking, encouraging children to investigate global and local geographical issues. We want every pupil to leave Rectory with a strong sense of place, a respect for the environment, and the skills to think critically about the world they live in.
Implementation
At Rectory C.E. Primary School, Geography is taught through weekly lessons using the Rising Stars Geography scheme, which provides a structured and progressive approach aligned with the National Curriculum. This scheme ensures that pupils build a secure understanding of geographical concepts, vocabulary, and skills as they move through the school.
Each unit is carefully sequenced to develop knowledge of places, people, environments, and processes, both locally and globally. Lessons are enquiry-based and encourage pupils to ask questions, investigate evidence, and draw conclusions about the world around them.
Through Rising Stars, pupils explore key themes such as:
🌎 Locational and place knowledge
🧭 Human and physical geography
🗺️ Geographical skills and fieldwork
The curriculum is designed to be engaging and accessible, with opportunities for map work, data analysis, fieldwork, and cross-curricular links. Vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to support retention and deepen understanding.
By using Rising Stars, we ensure that all pupils experience a rich and balanced geography curriculum that builds curiosity, critical thinking, and a lifelong interest in the world.
Impact
At Rectory C.E. Primary School, the impact of our Geography curriculum is reflected in pupils’ growing curiosity, knowledge, and understanding of the world around them. Through engaging, enquiry-based learning, children develop the skills to ask questions, think critically, and make sense of both local and global issues.
By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils:
Demonstrate secure knowledge of key geographical concepts, vocabulary, and processes
Use maps, atlases, and digital tools confidently to investigate places and environments
Apply fieldwork skills to observe, measure, and record geographical features
Show awareness of human and physical interactions and their impact on the planet
Express informed opinions about global challenges and diverse cultures
Our pupils leave with a strong sense of place, a respect for the environment, and the confidence to explore and understand the ever-changing world they live in.
Example Geography Knowledge Organiser
Key Documents
