Geography Subject Intent
Geography Subject Implementation
Geography Subject Impact
Geography Subject Progression
EYFS
Geography learning in Reception is an exciting adventure where children begin to understand the world around them. At school in Torquay, they explore what makes a town, recognizing that Torquay is by the sea and that England is an island surrounded by water. Through maps, they discover how places are represented and learn to identify features like coasts, cliffs, and beaches. They also learn about Africa, a vast continent with a hot climate, home to incredible animals like lions, elephants, and giraffes—some of which are endangered. The journey continues beyond Earth as they explore the Solar System, discovering that our planet, Earth, needs care to prevent pollution. Maps become a useful tool in their learning, helping them describe locations, identify landmarks, and even draw their own routes to school or imaginary journeys. As they explore London, the capital city, they learn about the Royal Family and their home, Buckingham Palace. Through questions, comparisons, and creative map-making, young learners build an understanding of places near and far, developing essential locational and positional language to navigate and describe the world with confidence.
Year One
Geography learning in Year 1 helps pupils develop a deeper understanding of their surroundings, the wider UK, and the weather. They begin by exploring the basic vocabulary of weather and climate, observing seasonal changes and creating simple weather charts to track patterns. Through maps, they learn about the four nations of the UK—England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—identifying key features and their locations. Looking at maps and aerial views of their local area, they ask questions about landmarks, roads, rivers, and symbols, gradually building confidence in reading maps. They work together to create simple maps of their local environment, making observations and recording details based on direct experiences. By discussing their surroundings, they connect their learning to broader geographic concepts, such as how weather affects different places and the relationship between local features and the wider world. Using appropriate vocabulary, they describe local and national geography, reinforcing their understanding of seasons, locations, and the key elements of maps while developing curiosity and inquiry skills that will support further learning.
Year Two
Geography learning in Year 2 encourages pupils to expand their understanding of the world by exploring continents, oceans, and different climate zones. They learn to name and locate the continents and oceans, using globes and atlases to identify their positions. Pupils discover the world's hot and cold regions, comparing environments like the UK’s temperate climate with the much warmer conditions of Zambia, situated in Africa. Through maps and aerial views, they investigate a contrasting locality in Zambia, asking questions about its features and making comparisons with their own local area. This helps them understand how climate and geography impact daily life in different parts of the world. As they describe these places, pupils develop confidence in using geographic vocabulary, including terms for continents, oceans, and climate regions. They also use the four main compass points to explain locations, strengthening their map skills and spatial awareness. By making these connections, they gain a broader perspective on global geography and how different environments shape the way people live.
Year Three
Geography learning in Year 3 builds on pupils' previous knowledge of climate zones, continents, and human and physical geography, expanding their understanding to North and South America. Using globes, atlases, and maps, they explore the varied landscapes and features of these continents, identifying mountains, rivers, cities, and key landmarks. Pupils focus on South-East Brazil and Rio de Janeiro, comparing and contrasting this region with places they have studied before. They investigate how climate zones influence everyday life, recognizing the differences between temperate regions like the UK and the tropical climate of Brazil. Through maps and aerial views, they analyze patterns of settlement, trade, tourism, and culture, considering how geography shapes the lives of people in these areas. Pupils develop their geographic vocabulary, learning to describe locations using terms like the Equator, the tropics, and hemispheres. By asking questions and interpreting map features, they strengthen their ability to think critically about how environments and societies interact across the world.
Isabelle says she loves learning about North and South America!
Year Four
Geography learning in Year 4 helps pupils develop a deeper understanding of rivers, the water cycle, and rainforest biomes, focusing on global features such as the Amazon and major rivers of the world. They explore the elements of rivers, learning about their sources, tributaries, and deltas, and examine the water cycle to understand how water moves through evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Pupils also discuss flood management strategies and their importance in protecting communities. Studying rainforest biomes, they compare them with other ecosystems, identifying the key characteristics of the world’s rainforests, including the Congo. They locate the Amazon within South America and compare its geography with South-East Brazil, learning how physical processes such as river systems and climate influence the region. Maps, globes, and aerial images help pupils interpret geographical features, while discussions highlight how people have adapted to life in the rainforest. Through engaging activities, they refine their vocabulary and use geographic tools to describe locations, climate zones, and human-environment interactions, strengthening their knowledge of the world.
Year Five
Geography learning in Year 5 introduces pupils to the dynamic forces shaping the Earth's surface, from towering mountains to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. They explore the names and locations of the world's major mountain ranges and learn about the different types of mountains, understanding how people have adapted to life in these challenging environments. Pupils also investigate the causes and impacts of volcanoes and earthquakes, identifying areas at risk and considering how communities respond to natural disasters. The study extends to Athens and the Mediterranean region, where pupils examine how human processes like tourism and migration interact with the physical geography. They use globes, atlases, and aerial maps to interpret landscapes at different scales, comparing Greece's geography and history with other places they have studied. By critically evaluating topical issues and considering different perspectives, pupils develop analytical skills while deepening their understanding of continuity and change. Through discussion, map work, and inquiry, they build confidence in describing locations, physical features, and human activity, strengthening their grasp of global geography.
Alfie says he likes learning about physical features such as volcanoes!
Amara says she likes learning about other countries and places in the world!
Year Six
Geography learning in Year 6 deepens pupils' understanding of the UK and their local region, examining both physical and human geography at different scales. They explore key features of the UK, including cities, rivers, mountains, and coasts, while considering how economic and political processes influence land use, settlement, and environmental change. By interpreting maps, including Ordnance Survey maps with grid references, pupils refine their ability to describe locations and patterns of human activity. They investigate how geography impacts daily life, analyzing energy distribution, transport links, and population density within their local area. Through fieldwork, they collect and evaluate data to understand how their region meets people's needs and how it might evolve. Pupils also plan a tourist route through the UK’s capital cities, applying their knowledge to practical scenarios. Comparing and contrasting regions, they consider how physical geography shapes communities and how human activities alter landscapes over time, developing the skills to present their findings confidently to different audiences.