Geography

Our Intent

At Southwark, we will ignite pupils’ fascination and curiosity about the world around them in order to gain a sense of place, space and scale on our diverse planet Earth. We will broaden their experiences through taking them on a journey locally, nationally, internationally and globally. Pupils will develop in-depth knowledge and essential skills in both physical and human geography and they will understand the part that they and others play in ensuring the planet’s sustainable future.
The concepts of place, space and scale are the three big ideas which form the fundamental principles of geography teaching at Southwark. These principles do not need to be taught explicitly or in any order, as it is likely you will draw upon all of them within each lesson.

Geography throughout Southwark

EYFS

Southwark pupils will have a growing sense of their own personal places and how these places link with their immediate locality. They will identify and explore features of their own immediate environment and understand their place within it. Through simple comparisons, pupils will identify how environments vary from one another. They will understand the role that they play in looking after their immediate environment.

KS1

Southwark pupils will develop an increasing sense of place by building upon their existing knowledge of their locality. They will begin to use geographical skills to enhance their locational awareness as they move from their local area to the United Kingdom and beyond. Pupils will understand geographical similarities and differences through studying the physical and human geography of a small area of the United Kingdom and a small area in a contrasting non-European country. Pupils will understand the role that they and others play in looking after the world for today and for future generations.

KS2

Southwark pupils will extend their knowledge and understanding of the United Kingdom and they will move onto exploring Europe and North and South America. This will include the location and characteristics of a range of the world’s most significant human and physical features. Pupils will demonstrate a growing understanding of how humans can impact the physical environment on a global level. This acquired knowledge will empower pupils to address preconceived misconceptions and stereotypes that they or others may hold.