Geography
Geography sparks curiosity and helps children understand the world and their place within it. At Bawnmore, we encourage children to explore their local area and the wider world, building knowledge about places, people, environments, and how they are connected. Our approach promotes respect, care, and responsibility for the planet, while supporting our golden thread—strong relationships, emotional wellbeing, and a love of learning.
Curriculum
Our geography curriculum is ambitious, inclusive, and carefully sequenced from Early Years to Year 2. We aim for children to:
- Develop knowledge of their local area and contrasting environments
- Understand key geographical concepts such as place, space, and human and physical features
- Use maps, atlases, and simple fieldwork skills
- Show curiosity and care for the natural world
In Reception, geography is embedded in Understanding the World, exploring seasons, homes, habitats, and celebrations from around the globe. In Years 1 and 2, children study topics such as local area fieldwork, hot and cold climates, the UK and the world, and land use. Our spiral curriculum ensures knowledge builds progressively.
Teaching
Teaching in geography is practical, enquiry-led, and rooted in real-world experiences. Our approach includes:
- Outdoor learning and fieldwork to observe and record features of the local environment
- Regular use of maps, atlases, and digital resources
- Explicit teaching of geographical vocabulary
- Thematic questions such as “What is life like in the African Savannah?” or “How can we care for our planet?”
- Opportunities for discussion, collaboration, and reflection
Positive relationships and high-quality interactions ensure children feel confident to ask questions and share ideas.
Achievement
By the end of Key Stage 1, children:
- Know and can name key geographical features
- Understand similarities and differences between places
- Use maps and basic fieldwork skills confidently
- Talk about how we care for the environment
- Are curious, reflective, and confident to explore the world around them
SEND and Inclusion
Geography is accessible to all learners through practical experiences, visual supports, and adult modelling. Fieldwork is designed to be hands-on and inclusive. We celebrate every child’s experiences and cultural background, helping them make meaningful connections to the world.
Full details of our geography curriculum can be found in our Geography Curriculum Document.
