Geography
Geography at Tetsworth Primary School
Intent
At Tetsworth Primary School, our ambitious and inclusive Geography curriculum inspires children to explore, question, and understand the world around them. We aim to foster curiosity, respect for different cultures, and an appreciation of the diverse places and environments that make up our planet.
As a mixed-aged school, we follow a stage-not-age approach, ensuring that learning is carefully adapted to each child’s stage of development. This approach enables all pupils — from the Early Years through to Year 6 — to access challenging and meaningful geography, developing knowledge and skills progressively over time.
We use the Cornerstones Curriculum to deliver a well-sequenced programme of geographical learning that aligns with the National Curriculum. This ensures a clear progression in locational knowledge, place knowledge, geographical skills, and understanding of physical and human processes. Our intent is that all pupils leave Tetsworth Primary School with a strong sense of place, a deep understanding of the world, and the confidence to think critically about how people and environments interact.
Implementation
Our Geography curriculum is delivered through the Cornerstones Curriculum, which provides a coherent and well-sequenced structure from the Early Years through to Year 6. Each unit is carefully planned to build on previous learning and deepen pupils’ understanding over time.
Teachers adapt the curriculum for our mixed-aged classes, ensuring that pupils work collaboratively while progressing at the appropriate stage of their learning journey. Lessons are engaging, practical, and enquiry-based, encouraging pupils to explore geographical ideas through maps, fieldwork, research, and discussion.
Fieldwork is a key element of our implementation. Pupils investigate their local area and compare it with contrasting environments in the UK and beyond. They learn to observe, record, and analyse geographical features, developing curiosity and independence as learners.
Cross-curricular links with Science, History, and English strengthen pupils’ understanding of how geography connects with other subjects and the wider world. Teachers continually revisit key vocabulary and concepts to secure long-term understanding and ensure progression across year groups.
Impact
The impact of our Geography curriculum at Tetsworth Primary School is evident in the knowledge, confidence, and curiosity our pupils display. They understand how people and environments are connected and show enthusiasm for exploring the world around them.
Our pupils:
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Develop secure geographical knowledge, understanding places, processes, and patterns across the world.
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Use a range of geographical skills — including map reading, enquiry, fieldwork, and data interpretation — with increasing confidence.
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Show curiosity and critical thinking, asking questions and investigating issues such as sustainability and environmental change.
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Apply knowledge across contexts, linking learning between geography, science, and global citizenship.
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Demonstrate care and responsibility, recognising their role in protecting and sustaining the planet.
Through our ambitious, stage-not-age approach and the structure provided by the Cornerstones Geography Curriculum, all pupils — regardless of age or ability — develop the knowledge, skills, and understanding to explore and appreciate the world around them. They leave Tetsworth Primary School as confident, informed, and responsible young geographers, ready for the next stage of their learning journey.