Intent

At our school, we aim to foster a deep sense of curiosity and engagement in our pupils about the world around them. Through a carefully sequenced and knowledge-rich geography curriculum, children develop a secure understanding of their local environment, the diverse communities within Britain, and the wider global context.

We are committed to equipping pupils with the geographical knowledge, vocabulary, and fieldwork skills necessary to interpret the physical and human features of the world. Our curriculum promotes respect for different cultures and societies, encouraging pupils to appreciate diversity and understand their role as responsible global citizens.

By the end of their school  journey, we want our children  to have developed a strong sense of place, an appreciation for the interconnectedness of the world, and the confidence to ask questions, seek answers, and think critically about geographical issues.

Implementation

Our Geography curriculum is implemented through a carefully sequenced and progressive approach, beginning in the Early Years and building throughout each key stage. It is designed to develop pupils’ geographical knowledge, skills, and understanding in a meaningful and engaging way.

In Nursery and Reception, we begin by using children’s personal experiences of home, school, and their immediate locality to develop an early awareness of place. Activities such as short walks in the school grounds and discussions about their journeys to and from school help children observe and describe features of their surroundings. These early experiences lay the foundation for geographical thinking.

As pupils move into Key Stage 1, we build on this foundation by using the  local area to introduce basic mapping skills and fieldwork. Geography is taught through cross-curricular topics, which enrich pupils’ understanding of different places around the world and allow them to make meaningful comparisons—for example, between life in Stoneleigh and life in non-European countries. Our strong partnership with M’temambalame School in Malawi provides a valuable real-world context for exploring global diversity and shared human experiences.

Throughout the curriculum, we explicitly teach locational knowledge and geographical vocabulary to ensure pupils can articulate their learning confidently. We also create immersive experiences such as an Antartica workshop and African drumming to spark curiosity and deepen understanding.

Impact 

The impact of our Geography curriculum is evident in the depth of knowledge, curiosity, and geographical understanding that pupils demonstrate as they progress through the school. Pupils develop a strong sense of place, both locally and globally, and are able to make meaningful connections between their own lives and those of others around the world.

Our children leave The Mead with with a secure foundation in Geography, well-prepared for the demands of the Key Stage 2 curriculum. They are curious, informed, and increasingly aware of their responsibilities as global citizens in a rapidly changing world.