Geography 
Coordinator: Mr Hobson
At Netherthong Primary School our vision is to provide quality teaching and learning of humanities. We aim that children will develop an awareness of their own and the wider environments, learn about others’ lives and lifestyles and develop a knowledge of significant men, women, children and events.
A broad humanities programme helps to promote:
Successful learners – we want children to be enthusiastic about learning, keen to do their best and willing to engage in new experiences;
Confident individuals – through an understanding of the past, the environment and others’ values and beliefs, children can develop self-respect and a desire to achieve personal goals. They learn to live independently and get on well with others.
Responsible citizens – we encourage respect for others and participation in school and community life. Children use what they have learnt to make informed choices and safe decisions.
At Netherthong, we shape our geography curriculum to ensure it is fully inclusive to every child. Our aims are to fulfil the requirements of the National Curriculum for Geography; providing a broad, balanced and differentiated curriculum; ensuring the progressive development of geographical concepts, knowledge and skills. We aim for children to develop a love for geography that deepens children’s curiosity and fascination about the world and its people.
Inspiring curiosity and fascination about the vast and wonderous world around us, is the intent of geography here at Netherthong. Pupils should remain captivated by natural and human environments for the rest of their lives. Our curriculum is one of discovery, broadening horizons, exploring diversity and using our locality as context and contrast.
Teaching will give students knowledge of different people, places, resources and environments across the globe and an appreciation of the great outdoors. Throughout school, a deep understanding of the earth's key physical and human processes will develop. In time, students will become aware of the affiliation between physical and human geography and how these can impact on the other, in the formation of landscapes and environments, and their subsequent uses.
At Netherthong, we intend to develop a high-quality geography curriculum that includes the study of globally significant places and their human and physical characteristics. Learners will acquire knowledge and understanding of the world around them and build opinions on current geographical world issues such as, climate change, energy production, resources, water and marine welfare.
Pupils follow a considered and carefully mapped flight path through geography, exploring varied and engaging locations, including continents, countries and oceans. Local knowledge is a cornerstone for understanding the geographical similarities and differences between, Netherthong, Holmfirth, Yorkshire, the United Kingdom and other regions of the world.
Human and natural processes are taught throughout both key stages, bringing geography to life with real world case studies, integrating geographical skills and fieldwork. We see great value in the exposure to maps, atlases and digital mapping. Developing these skills will have a legacy stretching out into adulthood. Being able to read ordinance survey maps, keys and grid references enables pupils to build knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world. Fieldwork offers links to other curriculum areas such as maths and science whilst, outdoor learning makes children aware of nature around them and encourages curiosity and first-hand exploration. Pupils observe, record and present findings through a range of methods including sketch maps, graphs and plans.
Long lasting knowledge is promoted through a focus on understanding geographical vocabulary and concept words. There is clear progression up through the school years as the complexity of vocabulary increases. Children will be exposed to key language and meanings with the foresight for these terms to be applied in context verbally and in writing.
Here at Netherthong, teachers are guided by subject coordinators and are knowledgeable about what a Netherthong child must know in Geography. Pupils will be aware that the world has places both comparable and contrasting to Netherthong and will begin to understand their wider world and the implications that we as citizens have on the environment, climate change and world resources.
Pupils retain knowledge that is pertinent to geography with a real-life context through exposure to geographical vocabulary and regular quizzes to encourage long term memory (Year 1 - 6).
Children will work collaboratively to solve problems and explain the processes that they have studied or observed. At the end of each topic, children will have broadened their own vocabularies within the context of the topic. Marking and feedback will inform the teacher of understanding or misconceptions that can be addressed throughout the unit of study.
Monitoring takes place within school. The geography coordinator will ensure that that a broad range of geography takes place in line with the National Curriculum. The coordinator will use of lesson observations to gain a window into teaching and learning, use pupil voice to find out what students know and how they have progressed in geography. The coordinator will use planning and book looks and subject assessments to manage the delivery of geography and measure the impact of the current curriculum.
Beyond Netherthong Primary School, students will go on to Key Stage 3 ready with skills that will be developed further. Children will act as good citizens within their local community and the wider world and have enthusiasm for travel, discovery and gaining personal experiences.
