Geography is about understanding the world, comparing places, investigating environments and asking meaningful questions about how people and places interact.

At St Nicholas Primary School, our geography curriculum develops children’s understanding through three key strands:

• locational knowledge

• place knowledge

• human and physical geography

Throughout their geography units, children develop practical geographical skills using:

• ICT and digital mapping

• world maps, atlases and globes

• compass directions

• aerial and satellite photographs

• fieldwork and observational skills

Children are encouraged to reflect on their own environment, consider how others interact with it, and think critically about sustainability and global responsibility.

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Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Even from a very young age, children can be considered geographers.

In EYFS, children begin to make sense of their physical world and local community by:

• exploring their surroundings

• observing people, places and environments

• talking about similarities and differences

• developing curiosity about the world

Learning is practical and play-based, supporting children to understand how the environment influences them and how they interact with it.

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Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, children begin to develop a geographical vocabulary and sense of place.

They learn about:

• their local area

• a small area of the United Kingdom (Year 1)

• a contrasting non-European country (Year 2)

• weather patterns in the UK

• hot and cold areas of the world

Children carry out simple fieldwork, explore their local area and create picture and sketch maps to represent what they have observed.

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Key Stage 2

Years 3 and 4

The curriculum builds on prior learning as children study:

• climate zones

• land use and sustainability

• volcanoes and rivers

• counties and cities of the UK

Children use physical, political and topographical maps and begin drawing maps with increasing accuracy. They deepen their understanding of both human and physical geography.

Years 5 and 6

Children examine geographical similarities and differences by comparing regions and countries.

They:

• study North and South America

• explore economic activity and natural resources

• link geography to other curriculum subjects

• consider the future of the planet

Pupils develop an understanding of their role as global citizens and how they can help protect the world around them.

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How Can I Support My Child with Geography?

Use everyday experiences
You already use geography daily — navigating journeys, checking the weather, watching the news or planning holidays. Talk about these experiences together.

Explore locally
Discuss local landmarks, physical features and attractions. Encourage your child to create a tourist guide for visiting relatives.

Use maps on journeys
Share road maps or map apps and ask your child to follow the route. They could also draw a map of their journey to school or local shops.

Compare places on holiday
Ask your child to identify similarities and differences between home and holiday destinations. Museums and attractions also provide rich learning opportunities.

Use media creatively
Magazines, TV programmes, films and games can transport children to different places. Ask questions such as:

• What might the weather be like there?

• Why is the settlement located here?

• How do people live in this place?

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Useful Websites

BBC Bitesize – Geography
Videos, games and activities to support geography learning at home.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

National Geographic Kids
Geography facts, images and resources that bring places to life.
https://www.natgeokids.com/

Toporopa
Interactive quizzes and games to practise country and city locations.
https://online.seterra.com/

3D Geography
Printable activities and creative geography projects for children.
https://www.3dgeography.co.uk/

Ordnance Survey
Fun challenges and games to help children understand maps and symbols.
https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/