Hillyfield Primary Academy

Geography is a vital part of the curriculum which provokes and provides answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. Pupils will develop a sense of belonging through investigating perspectives to their personal, local and global importance and are taught to understand and respect the similarities and differences in a range of individuals. 

The curriculum is planned to enable pupils to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas. Geography is taught half-termly through enquiry questions which promote the pupil's interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. For example, in Early Years, pupils build up an understanding of their identity within the world each half term focusing on local: ‘My local community’ to national: ‘My country’ to international: ‘My world’. In KS1, pupils are introduced to international countries and physical geography concepts, which is further developed throughout LKS2. In UKS2, pupils are then taught to analyse similarities and differences between global communities and places.

We  ensure our local environment is investigated through termly fieldwork (in addition to implementing fieldwork week), map activities and trips to explore Walthamstow’s fantastic area rich with wetlands and marshes.

Our progressive curriculum is crucial for all learners in all key stages, with careful consideration given to vulnerable pupil groups and our pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Diversity and inclusion is embedded throughout the pupil's learning so they have the opportunity to understand multiple perspectives of local and global events and issues through enquiry questions such as, “How do responses to earthquakes differ from Japan to Tonga and why?” pupils will explore the effects of earthquakes not just on physical geography but how human geography is affected and why it differs.