Geography – curriculum information

At Adelaide Primary School, our approach to teaching Geography is designed to inspire curiosity and develop a deep understanding of the world around us. We ensure that Geography is taught in a way that encourages pupils to explore both the physical and human aspects of our planet while developing the geographical skills and knowledge they need to become informed global citizens.

We believe that Geography should be a broad, engaging, and progressive subject that builds on pupils’ natural curiosity about the world. Our curriculum is designed to develop geographical understanding from the local to the global scale, ensuring that pupils can make connections between places, landscapes, and the diverse environments in which they live. By carefully sequencing our lessons, we ensure that each new topic deepens and broadens pupils’ understanding, from the basics of physical geography to more complex concepts such as human geography, sustainability, and the global interconnectedness of today’s world.

Our lessons are designed to be practical, engaging, and hands-on, with opportunities for fieldwork, outdoor learning, and interactive activities that help pupils apply their learning in meaningful contexts. We place a strong emphasis on developing geographical knowledge through both local and global contexts, so that pupils understand their own place in the world and can appreciate the diversity of cultures, environments, and human activity across the globe. We encourage the use of geographical tools and resources, such as maps, globes, and digital technology, enabling pupils to investigate places and interpret spatial information.

Geography teaching at Adelaide Primary also focuses on critical thinking and investigative skills, fostering pupils’ ability to ask geographical questions, analyse data, and draw conclusions based on evidence. We encourage pupils to explore real-world issues, such as climate change, migration, and the role of natural resources, helping them to develop a sense of responsibility for the environment and an understanding of the global challenges we face.

Through high-quality teaching and a focus on geographical enquiry, we aim to inspire every pupil at Adelaide Primary School to develop a love for Geography, as well as the skills to make sense of the world around them. By fostering a curiosity about places, people, and environments, we empower our pupils to become informed, responsible, and active participants in the world, ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the future.

What do pupils think about the geography curriculum –

“I love learning about other countries around the world and how other people live their lives!”

“I enjoy using the atlases to locate other continents and learn more about the differences between our lifestyles and cultures”

“My favourite geography lesson is learning about the different capital cities”

‘Children make a good start in the early years because of good teaching’…

OFSTED comments

‘The range of enrichment activities the school provides is excellent and contributes a great deal to pupils’ learning’…

OFSTED comments

‘Pupils contribute significantly to the successes of the school through their outstanding behaviour and readiness to learn’…

OFSTED comments

‘There is a very strong focus on checking on how well different groups of pupils are learning, so that any falling behind can be immediately helped to make better progress’…

OFSTED comments

‘The harmonious relationships among all groups, from a wide variety of backgrounds, are a strength of the school’…

OFSTED comments

‘Teaching and learning are consistently good. As a result most pupils make good progress in reading, writing and mathematics from often significantly below-average starting points’…

OFSTED comments

‘Parents are overwhelmingly supportive, commenting very positively on the school’s many strong features’…

OFSTED comments

‘Pupils feel very safe in school because of the school’s rigorous approach to keeping them safe’…

OFSTED comments

‘Leaders leave no stone unturned to ensure that the very diverse school population is treated equally and that there is a relentless focus on driving up pupil performance’…

OFSTED comments

‘The excellent relationships between teachers and their pupils ensure lessons are purposeful and enjoyable’…

OFSTED comments

‘The highly successful promotion of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is at the heart of the school’s work’…

OFSTED comments

‘Staff morale is high, team spirit is very strong, and all are committed to continued improvement. This helps to explain why the school is continuing to improve’…

OFSTED comments