Geography
At St Mary’s, our Geography curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and a lifelong fascination with the world around us. We aim to help our pupils better understand their place in the world—locally, nationally, and globally—by building on their own experiences and broadening their horizons. Our approach recognises the importance of each child's background and seeks to enrich their cultural capital, empowering them to live life in all its fullness.
Through engaging and thought-provoking lessons, pupils are encouraged to ask and explore questions about both the natural environment and human societies. As they progress, they develop a deeper understanding of the relationships between people, places, and environments. Our teaching covers a wide range of topics, from the physical processes that shape our landscapes to the human activities that influence them.
Geography at St Mary’s equips children with essential knowledge about diverse places, people, and environments, and builds the skills needed to interpret the world around them. Pupils learn to think critically, gather and analyse data, and understand how geographical features and processes interconnect and change over time.
Why Geography Matters at St. Mary's
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It builds a vital understanding of the local and global world we live in.
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It teaches life-long skills such as map reading, data analysis, and spatial awareness.
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It fosters environmental awareness and a sense of responsibility for our planet’s future.
Our Aims in Geography
- To develop a strong contextual knowledge of key global locations—both land and sea—and their distinctive physical and human features.
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To deepen understanding of the natural and human processes that shape our world.
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To provide hands-on learning through fieldwork, enabling pupils to collect, interpret, and analyse real-world geographical data.
Geography is a foundation subject in the National Curriculum, and at St Mary’s, we are committed to delivering it in a way that is meaningful, relevant, and inspiring for every child. We offer many opportunities for enrichment including hands-on fieldwork, using maps and digital tools, watching documentaries, and connecting learning to real-world issues and local environments. Activities can include creating maps of the school, taking nature walks, trips to the Hive and using the internet for research on global issues, and exploring places.