Geography

Geography at Harris

At Harris Primary School, our aim is for every child to develop a deep understanding of the world; its people, places and environments. We want pupils to become thoughtful geographers who can observe, compare, analyse and question the world around them. Through engaging fieldwork, map skills and rich geographical knowledge, children learn to appreciate the diversity of our planet and the ways humans interact with it.

At Harris, we believe that geography helps pupils make sense of their place in the world and understand global issues such as climate, sustainability and change. A high quality geography education gives children the tools to interpret landscapes, investigate environmental patterns and think critically about human impact.

How we do this

Our geography curriculum is carefully sequenced, beginning with local, familiar environments and gradually expanding to national, European and global scales. Knowledge builds progressively: pupils revisit key concepts such as place, scale, physical processes, human interactions and change over time.

Lessons weave together locational knowledge, place knowledge and geographical skills. Each unit is underpinned by core vocabulary which is introduced, revisited and applied in context so that it becomes “sticky learning”.

Engagement and enquiry

Each topic begins with a point of interest: a map puzzle, a fieldwork question, an aerial photograph or a real-world issue. Pupils are encouraged to ask geographical questions such as:

Why is this place like this?

How is it changing?

What impact do people have?

Enquiry questions shape each unit, helping children think geographically and draw meaningful conclusions.

Building on prior knowledge

Teachers use our progression maps to understand pupils’ starting points and ensure new learning builds securely. Prior knowledge is revisited at the start of each topic through retrieval tasks, vocabulary review and map exercises. Learning is repeatedly reinforced across the year to strengthen long-term memory.

Fieldwork and practical geography

Practical investigation is at the heart of our curriculum. Pupils carry out fieldwork such as:

• Observing and sketching the local environment

• Collecting data on weather, land use or traffic

• Creating maps and using grid references

• Interpreting aerial photographs and digital maps

Fieldwork helps children apply classroom learning in real-world contexts and develop essential geographical enquiry skills.

Geographical Enquiry

Throughout each unit, pupils learn to:

• Use maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping confidently

• Apply compass directions and grid references

• Describe and compare human and physical features

• Identify patterns and draw conclusions from data

• Carry out fieldwork to collect, measure, record and present findings

• Explain how places change and how people influence environments

Oracy

We help pupils speak like geographers by immersing them in accurate, ambitious vocabulary. Children articulate findings clearly, justify conclusions with evidence and take part in discussions about geographical issues. Oracy strategies such as structured talk, debates and paired reasoning support geographical thinking.

Assessment and feedback

Teachers use formative assessment throughout each unit: questioning, map tasks, fieldwork evidence, discussion and written explanations to check understanding. Prior knowledge is reviewed before new learning begins, ensuring pupils build on secure foundations. Retrieval and spaced practice across the year support memory retention. Summative assessments, recorded on our online assessment tool, reflect pupils’ progress in knowledge, skills and geographical understanding.