Intent

 At Chigwell Row our curriculum is designed to inspire children’s fascination about the world around them—both local and further afield—that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.  We aim to foster and develop children’s curiosity about the world and its people through a cross curricular and creative approach to learning that balances core knowledge and sense of place.  We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Epping Forest to develop fieldwork skills and experience human and physical geographical features. We also aim to develop the children’s ability to apply geographical skills to enable them to confidently communicate their findings and geographical understanding to a range of audiences. ​

Our aim is for all children:​

• To develop curiosity about the world and everything in it and to enable them to ask and answer questions about the world.  
• To develop a secure knowledge of where places are located, what they are like, what happens there; in Britain and the wider world 
• To develop secure knowledge of human and geographical features which they experience locally or through photographs/videos.  
• To develop skills in: enquiry, mapping, critical thinking, fieldwork and graphicacy.  
• To begin to understand the concepts of interconnectedness and interdependence on a local level.    

At Chigwell Row, we strive for all children to become decision makers. We do this by encouraging positive attitudes, behaviours, values and personal development.  Children who make  considered decisions enquire, communicate, problem solve, reason and reflect. They are: open minded, fair, courageous, resilient and creative  

Implementation

Chigwell Row follows the Collins Connect Geography Scheme and the national curriculum to ensure coverage throughout Key Stage One. As we are mixed year groups in Key Stage one, we have adapted the scheme to create a rolling A and B cycle to ensure the curriculum is covered at the end of Key Stage one, without repeating any topics. We teach Geography through an enquiry question, which is broken down into individual questions for each weekly lesson. Geography is taught once a term, over a half term period. This ensures the children have enough time to explore the question thoroughly, deepen their learning and develop their enthusiasm and curiosity.       

Children in the Foundation Stage are taught geographical elements of the Foundation Stage document through the Early Years Curriculum: Understanding the World.  Children think about different people and communities, places, cultures and festivals both locally and in the wider world; this is taught throughout the year and related to calendar dates. Additionally, we make use of our local forest providing an opportunity to explore and experience the world around them.  

Additional opportunities in geography are provided through workshops, educational visits and regular visits to the local forest.   The use of Hainault Forest (located directly across from the school) allows for first hand experiences with some geographical features, mapping and field work.  Additionally, children are provided with a multisensory approach to space and a chance to explore their emotional responses to different areas of the forest.  

Teachers spark and inspire children’s curiosity in the classroom by  planning engaging and purposeful lessons to aid children in conceptual knowledge, vocabulary and fieldwork.  Teachers plan for precise questioning to assess these skills and identify gaps in learning.  They believe all children are capable of becoming decision makers and achieving high standards.  They do this by modelling positive behaviours, attitudes, values and personal development. Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and given opportunities to use their enquiry skills to discover the answers.   

Knowledge and skills progress throughout Key Stage One:

As their knowledge (including vocabulary) and skills progress, they become more confident in their abilities as geographers and decision makers. We aim to ensure our curriculum provides children with secure knowledge as well as positive attitudes and behaviours needed to further develop in the next stage of education and the rest of their lives.  

Impact:

Our Geography Curriculum provides a progression in geographical skills and knowledge that inspires pupils' curiosity and fascination about their world. Our children learn how to make a positive contribution to their community and the wider world through an understanding of the interconnectedness of the world as a whole. 

We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:

• Teacher questioning throughout each lesson
• Gathering children’s starting and ending points.
• Marking children’s work
• Class discussions
• Pupil interviews