1. What is the curriculum rationale in geography?

Intent: purpose and values of geography

Understanding the Earth, its atmosphere, the activities of humans on its surface and the interactions between these things is the quest of geography. At Wilmslow High School it is our intention when teaching the geography curriculum, that all students gain the knowledge and skills needed to continue their learning journey through the key stages, building on previous knowledge, concepts and skills as they progress through each key stage. We strive to ensure that all our students receive a well-rounded learning experience linking our geography topics to many different areas of the curriculum and gain a full understanding of the world around them. It is our intention to immerse students in the diverse nature of our home planet whilst developing a passion for discovery and the confidence to ask and explore their own questions using a variety of sources and resources and therefore developing their geographical skills. We aim to encourage our students to engage in relevant and up to date issues and develop global citizens of the future.

To ensure that we are developing our students’ cultural capital, we have thought hard about the content of each of our units ensuring not only that we have designed a curriculum that builds on knowledge to ensure students’ progress, but also that we teach content that as much as possible prepares students for our changing world, this includes a focus on sustainability and resources. We also build cultural capital through our field trips in the local area, visiting areas such as Spinningfields and Media city. We also ensure regular input from outside organisations and universities and encourage students to take part in talks organised by the Geography Association.

2. What is the 'big picture' in geography?

The ‘big picture’ outlines how the Big Ideas and areas of knowledge of each subject fit together:

The Big Ideas of geography are:

• Locational Knowledge
• Place Knowledge
• Environmental, Physical and Human Geography
• Geographical Skills and Fieldwork

There are four key areas of knowledge which are necessary to become a subject expert in geography:

1. Conceptual understanding: That our students build declarative knowledge (knowing that) of:

• the key facts and concepts of geography: about places, environments and locations at a range of scales
• the processes and patterns of geography: being able to describe a wide range of geographical processes and landforms and understand the impact of geographical processes. e.g. coastal erosion and landforms

2. Procedural fluency: That our students build procedural knowledge (knowing how to)

• explain, apply and evaluate in geography

e.g. giving detailed and comprehensive explanations for changes, events, causes and effects. Providing clear explanations that are linked to area and topic studied.

Understanding strengths and weaknesses and coming to a decision based on evidence.

Considering different people’s point of view.

• analyse and interpret geographical data

e.g. giving highly detailed and accurate descriptions and explanations using data and sources. Making links.

Coming to conclusions about data that are valid and relevant.

4. Disciplinary knowledge: that our students understand the practices of geographers and the process of geographical enquiry. Students can ask geographical questions and question the validity of sources and findings. Students can understand the interconnectedness between elements of the subject and have a holistic view of content studied.
5. Language: That our students develop spatial ‘literacy’ and become confident in the ‘language’ of map skills able to use and compare a variety of maps at different scales.

3. What does knowledge look like in geography?

4. What do we teach and when?