Geography Curriculum Statement
Our vision is that teaching Geography gives pupils an understanding of the local, national and international environments, through instilling an interest and fascination to investigate a variety of places, geographical patterns and through communicating geographically by purposeful research and careful questioning.
We will investigate a variety of sources such as primary and secondary data, pictures, stories, maps and diagrams to ask and answer questions about our own human/physical local environment and that of afar. We will examine the children’s own personal environment, allowing them to explore topics and engage with subject matter in a variety of mediums. We will enable them to develop their sense of location throughout the study of topics through EYFS, Key Stage 1 and 2.
We will aim to give our children a Geography Curriculum with enables them to feed their curiosity, and to be creative, independent learners. We seek to broaden the children real-life understanding of the world around them, both inside and outside of school through educational visits, visitors, investigation, exploration and discovery.
We believe that within Geography lessons, our children will obtain a range of knowledge and skills, which they can apply to other subjects and in a multitude of situations.
Key Documents
Fieldwork & Subject Enrichment
Fieldwork is an essential part of our Geography curriculum and lies at the heart of developing children as curious, knowledgeable and skilled geographers. We are committed to providing meaningful opportunities for pupils to explore the world around them, recognising that first-hand experiences bring learning to life and allow children to apply their geographical knowledge in real-life contexts. By taking learning beyond the classroom, fieldwork develops children's enquiry skills, deepens their understanding of geographical concepts and fosters a greater appreciation of both the natural and human environments.
At Fairfield, outdoor learning is a key element of our school ethos and provides a rich and valuable resource for geographical investigation. We carefully plan fieldwork opportunities across all year groups to ensure that pupils progressively develop the skills required to think and work as geographers. These experiences enable children to observe, question, measure, record, analyse and evaluate geographical information in a range of environments.
Examples of fieldwork across the school include Year 3 pupils exploring local caves, Year 4 undertaking river investigations, and Year 5 applying their map-reading skills through the use of four and six-figure grid references within our forest environment. These experiences are carefully linked to classroom learning, allowing children to make meaningful connections between geographical theory and the world around them.
Our fieldwork activities are designed to be highly practical and enquiry-based. Pupils are encouraged to collect and interpret primary data, formulate investigative questions, conduct surveys, make observations, use geographical equipment and draw conclusions from their findings. Through these hands-on experiences, children develop critical thinking skills and learn how geographers gather evidence to understand and explain the world.
Fieldwork also supports the development of important personal qualities, including teamwork, resilience, independence and problem-solving. By working collaboratively in real-world settings, pupils gain confidence in their ability to investigate geographical issues and communicate their findings effectively.
Throughout the year, pupils benefit from a variety of visitors, workshops and virtual experiences that bring geographical learning to life. As part of our studies of extreme weather and natural disasters, children have opportunities to hear from explorers, adventurers and individuals who have experienced challenging environments first-hand. These encounters help pupils develop a greater appreciation of the power of physical processes and the impact they can have on people and communities around the world.
To support our studies of global geography, children have also taken part in live online links with families living in Australia, providing a unique opportunity to learn about daily life, culture, climate and geography directly from people living on the other side of the world. These authentic experiences allow pupils to compare life in the United Kingdom with life in another country, broadening their understanding of different environments, communities and ways of living.
Our geography enrichment programme also includes engaging workshops linked to topics such as rivers, sustainability and environmental responsibility. Through practical activities and enquiry-based learning, pupils explore the importance of protecting natural environments, managing resources responsibly and understanding the role they can play in creating a more sustainable future. These experiences help children see the relevance of geography in everyday life and encourage them to become informed and responsible global citizens.
By providing a rich programme of geographical enrichment, we aim to inspire curiosity about the world, develop cultural awareness and ensure that our pupils leave Fairfield with both the knowledge and enthusiasm to engage positively with the wider world.
Geography Book Look: Examples of Work from Across the School
Children record their learning in dedicated Geography books, where the key knowledge, concepts and end points from each unit are clearly evidenced through a range of activities, including map work, fieldwork investigations, written activities, geographical enquiries and challenges. These books showcase pupils' developing understanding of both physical and human Geography and provide a clear record of progression as they move through the school. Recording learning in this way enables children to reflect on their understanding, revisit prior learning and demonstrate how their geographical knowledge and skills develop over time.
Every classroom also features a dedicated Geography Working Wall, which plays an important role in supporting and enhancing pupils' learning. These displays showcase key vocabulary, a world map, and current/ relevant geographical concepts and examples of current learning, providing pupils with a valuable point of reference throughout each unit.