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Geography

At the Ridgeway School, Geography is taught from Early Years through to Key Stage 3, taking account of pupils’ cognitive ability and chronological age. The guidelines from the National Curriculum updated in May 2015, and the EYFS - Understanding the World form the basis of how we teach Geography at Ridgeway. We ensure that Geography is embedded through a creative curriculum ensuring that our delivery is creative, motivating, meaningful, engaging and relevant to the pupils, depending on their individual needs and the targets we are working towards.

We realise the importance of using a combination of approaches in order to appeal to the different learning styles of the pupils. Geography works well with our “Thinking Skills” curriculum which encourages independent learning.  Communication is core to everything we teach at Ridgeway and is taught discreetly in Geography. We encourage “active” sessions throughout the curriculum, this is both to support hands on/doing learning, as well as practical and meaningful experience and engagement. We acknowledge that deeper learning can only occur when pupils are fully engaged and have resources matched to their personal learning styles. Therefore, we offer trips, experiences and opportunities to our learners outside of the classroom in relation to the Geography curriculum.

We feel that it is beneficial to use a combination of approaches, including the use of artefacts, the celebration of geographical differences, the exploration of different food and clothing, appreciation and respect of different cultures.

We recognise the benefits of cross curricular working, such as links with English, RE, History, PSHE, etc. Through the teaching of Geography we can also focus on the development of skills such as communication, literacy and an appreciation of other cultures, beliefs and diversity. Through our thinking skills curriculum, we ensure Geography is taught in a meaningful way and often immerse our pupils in a geographical sensory experience.

Geography provides opportunities to develop our own ‘Thinking Skills’ curriculum and also to promote Social, Moral, Spiritual, Cultural and our own school values. It also provides the opportunity to focus on communication, self-advocacy and independence through a personalised approach to teaching and learning.

We realise the importance of engagement (attention and focus) and we acknowledge that deeper learning can only occur when pupils are fully engaged and have resources matched to their personal learning styles.

Geography sits within the Humanities Faculty and once a year there is a Humanities Curriculum Focus Week with a specific focus and theme, which allows for a creative and fully immersive curriculum.

We invite parents to be involved with their child’s learning in practical ways through extended learning where appropriate and sharing photos of travels around the world.  

 

Geography