Aims

The national curriculum for geography aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop contextual knowledge of the location of globally significant places – both terrestrial and marine – including their defining physical and human characteristics and how these provide a geographical context for understanding the actions of processes
• understand the processes that give rise to key physical and human geographical features of the world, how these are interdependent and how they bring about spatial variation and change over time 
•  are competent in the geographical skills needed to:
  • - collect, analyse and communicate with a range of data gathered through experiences of fieldwork that deepen their understanding of geographical processes
  • -interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, globes, aerial photographs and Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
  • - communicate geographical information in a variety of ways, including through maps, numerical and quantitative skills and writing at length.

Attainment Targets

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study.

Key Stage 1

Pupils should develop knowledge about the world, the United Kingdom and their locality. They should understand basic subject-specific vocabulary relating to human and physical geography and begin to use geographical skills, including first-hand observation, to enhance their locational awareness.

At PMLS pupils will be taught the following:

Year 1

• name, locate and identify characteristics of the four countries and capital cities of the United Kingdom and its surrounding seas
• identify seasonal and daily weather patterns in the United Kingdom and the location of hot and cold areas of the world in relation to the Equator and the North and South Poles
• use basic geographical vocabulary to refer to local and familiar features
• use four compass directions and simple vocabulary

Year 2

• name and locate the world’s seven continents and five oceans
• understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the human and physical geography of a small area of the United Kingdom, and of a small area in a contrasting non-European country
• use simple fieldwork and observational skills to study the geography of their school and its grounds and the key human and physical features of its surrounding environment.

Key Stage 2

Pupils should extend their knowledge and understanding beyond the local area to include the United Kingdom and Europe, North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. They should develop their use of geographical knowledge, understanding and skills to enhance their locational and place knowledge.

Pupils should be taught the following:

Year 3 and Year 4

• locate the world’s countries, using maps to focus on Europe (including the location of Russia) and North and South America, concentrating on their environmental regions, key physical and human characteristics, countries, and major cities
• use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical 
  features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.
• understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of the United Kingdom
• describe and understand key aspects of physical and human geography including rivers, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, settlements and trade links

Year 5 and Year 6

• name and locate counties and cities of the United Kingdom, geographical regions and their identifying human and physical characteristics, key topographical features (including hills, mountains, coasts and rivers), and land-use patterns; and understand how some of these aspects have changed over time
• use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world
• identify the position and significance of latitude, longitude, Equator, Northern 
  Hemisphere, Southern Hemisphere, the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, Arctic and Antarctic Circle, the Prime/Greenwich Meridian and time zones (including day and night)
• understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography of a region of Europe or a region within North or South America
• describe and understand key aspects of physical and human geography including biomes, vegetation belts, land use, economic activity and distribution of natural resources
• use fieldwork to observe, measure, record and present the human and physical 
  features in the local area using a range of methods, including sketch maps, plans and graphs, and digital technologies.