Intent
At Our Lady of Grace Catholic Primary School, our Geography curriculum nurtures children’s curiosity about God’s creation and inspires them to value and care for the world around them. Rooted in our Catholic mission, it encourages pupils to reflect on their role as global citizens, guided by the Gospel values of stewardship, respect, and compassion.
Our curriculum is designed so that children build a secure understanding of their immediate locality of Prestwich and Manchester, before extending their knowledge to the North West region, the wider UK, Europe, and the world.
Through our long-term plan, children develop:
- Early Years – a sense of place through their school environment, treasure hunts, and awareness of similarities/differences between life here and in other countries.
- KS1 – strong locational knowledge through studies of Prestwich, Blackpool, the UK’s countries, and contrasting locations such as Kenya.
- Lower KS2 – an understanding of settlements, land use, rivers, the water cycle, climate zones, and tectonic hazards, making regional comparisons with Italy (Sicily) and Brazil (North West region).
- Upper KS2 – deeper global awareness through studies of mountains, coasts, food distribution, trade, natural resources, and time zones.
This progression ensures children learn not just about places, but also about people, interdependence, and sustainability, equipping them to make positive contributions to a just and sustainable future.
Implementation
Geography is taught in carefully sequenced blocks across the school year, enabling depth and progression. Units begin with opportunities for children to share what they already know and pose questions. Teachers then build knowledge systematically, revisiting prior learning and extending understanding each year.
Key approaches include:
- Fieldwork and enquiry: local walks, studying the River Irwell, exploring Prestwich land use, and comparing Manchester to contrasting environments.
- Skills development: systematic teaching of mapwork, digital mapping, aerial photos, and data analysis.
- Contextual learning: topics rooted in Prestwich and Manchester, then branching to regional, national, and global contexts. For example, children compare Manchester with Sicily, explore the sustainability of trade and food distribution, and study how rivers and coasts impact communities.
- Catholic Social Teaching links: children reflect on “Care for Our Common Home” when exploring climate change, natural resources, and environmental responsibility.
Cross-curricular links with Science (weather, rivers, habitats), History (settlements, trade), and RE (stewardship, global justice) ensure a holistic learning journey.
Impact
By the time children leave Our Lady of Grace, they are confident, enthusiastic geographers who can articulate their learning with pride. They demonstrate:
- Secure knowledge of key locations and concepts from Prestwich to Brazil, Sicily, Kenya, and beyond.
- Practical enquiry skills, including data collection, fieldwork, and map creation.
- Understanding of interdependence, e.g. how trade, natural resources, and climate affect people’s lives.
- An appreciation of diversity and global responsibility, making connections with Catholic values.
- Readiness to continue geographical learning at secondary school and beyond, with curiosity and respect for God’s creation.
Most importantly, pupils leave knowing their place in the world, with the faith, knowledge, and compassion to protect the environment and contribute to their communities and the wider global family.