What does Geography look like at AHPS? (Intent)
At Avanti House Primary School, our Geography curriculum is designed to spark curiosity and a lifelong fascination with the world and its people. We follow the CUSP model curriculum, which carefully sequences key knowledge and vocabulary to build on each child’s understanding. By enriching the national curriculum with carefully chosen topics, we ensure that all pupils can see themselves in the curriculum and develop a strong sense of connection to life in modern Britain.
Through Geography, our pupils explore diverse places, people, resources, and environments, while deepening their understanding of the Earth’s physical and human processes. Our aim is to inspire every child to appreciate the world’s complexity and beauty, empowering them with skills and knowledge that are transferable both throughout their school life and beyond.
How do we do this? (Implementation)
We bring Geography to life through a blend of engaging lessons, fieldwork, and interactive resources. Our curriculum is centred around four key themes: fieldwork and geographical skills, locational knowledge, human and physical geography, and place knowledge. As pupils progress, the subject knowledge becomes more specific, and their skills deepen, ensuring learning is cumulative and builds over time.
Fieldwork is an essential part of Geography at AHPS. By exploring local environments, pupils experience hands-on learning, investigating physical and human geography in real-world contexts. This fosters a sense of curiosity and enables them to make meaningful connections between their studies and the world around them.
We also place a strong emphasis on vocabulary, introducing key terms at every stage of learning. Knowledge Organisers and glossaries support pupils in mastering concepts and vocabulary, while our use of high-quality texts encourages children to explore Geography through engaging stories and informational resources.
Finally, we integrate environmental awareness and role models into our lessons, inspiring pupils to think about their role as global citizens and how they can positively impact the world.
What difference does it make? (Impact)
Our Geography curriculum equips pupils with a deep understanding of the world and the skills to explore it confidently. Children leave AHPS with a strong knowledge of where places are, what they are like, and how human and physical processes shape the environment.
Pupils develop the ability to express well-informed opinions about societal and environmental issues, rooted in a strong foundation of knowledge and understanding. They also learn to draw and interpret maps, use geographical vocabulary accurately, and apply critical thinking to global challenges.
Through engaging fieldwork and practical learning experiences, pupils gain confidence in exploring their local area and the wider world. They develop their curiosity, analytical skills, and an appreciation for the interactions between people and the environment, preparing them for future studies and fostering a lifelong love of Geography.
How to support your child at home
Parents can play a key role in supporting their child’s learning in Geography. Here are some ideas to help:
- Engage in discussions about places—talk about countries, cities, environments, and habitats that interest your child.
- Have maps or a globe available at home, and encourage your child to explore them. Ask them what they know and what they’d like to learn more about.
- Compare human and physical features in different areas, such as natural landscapes and cityscapes, to spark curiosity.
- Encourage your child to read books or watch documentaries about the world, geography, or the environment.
- Go on family walks or trips to explore your local area—point out rivers, hills, or urban features and discuss how these came to be.
- Foster environmental awareness by discussing topics such as recycling, conservation, and the importance of protecting natural habitats.
- Link Geography to current events by exploring global news stories and discussing their geographical impact.
By making Geography a part of everyday conversations and activities, you can help your child develop a deeper understanding of the world and a love for exploring it.