Our pupils begin to explore from an early age. Regular ‘Forest School’ sessions are provided in Reception. Outdoor activities across Key Stage 1 and 2 are key elements to encourage our children to ‘Think Like Geographers.’

We aim to develop curiosity; starting with their immediate surroundings and expanding their experiences as they progress through the school. Forest View believes that by developing key skills, the children will become well rounded citizens; with an understanding of the impact humans have on the environment.

Our pupils follow a cross curricular, topic based, approach with the emphasis on child-led mind mapping to create engaging, progressive Geography opportunities across the school. Oddizzi is one of the main resources that the school uses to support teaching in Geography.

Asking questions is encouraged, in all age groups, to allow the children to interpret the world around them.

At Forest View Geography is a creative approach to build the following key skills:

• Locational knowledge
• Place knowledge
• Human and Physical Geography
• Field work skills

The school is fortunate to have areas for field work within walking distance of our school grounds. Therefore, we aim to embrace these opportunities by creating a Geography curriculum to broaden the children’s real-life experiences.

• EYFS have regular Forest School sessions with opportunities for KS1 to plan in visits to a purpose built area on the school site.
• EYFS and KS1 identify places through stories and have real-life experiences through role-play areas in the classroom.
• Reception are encouraged to ask questions to compare settings in stories and to begin to understand the world around them.
• Children acquire geographical vocabulary from an early age to build upon across all the key stages.
• All age groups take part in walks to study human and physical features in our local area.
• We offer a broad and balanced approach to Geography through trips and visitors.
• The children use a range of digital technologies and traditional methods to develop map reading and locational skills.
• Pupils are provided with a range of activities to foster enjoyment, satisfaction and curiosity in the classroom/ outdoor sessions.
• Sustainability and Environmental issues are discussed across the school in lessons and assemblies. The children becoming involved, by supporting school council initiatives.

• Pupil conferencing - children enthusiastically discuss their learning in Geography.
• Some lessons will result in an independent task recorded in books.
• Some lessons will result in group or class learning tasks.  These will be recorded on See Saw.
• Children will have a deeper understanding of their own place in the world and the impact this has on the planet.

Geography lessons are taught through an inclusive engaging curriculum. Lessons offer kinesthetic starters to engage and build confidence. The pupils are given retrieval opportunities to discuss verbally. Adaptative teaching methods support diverse abilities, using visual scaffolding. Geography resources use clear maps and labels, alongside targeted adult support, scaffolding questions and collaborative learning opportunities to ensure all pupils can access age-appropriate learning. Subject vocabulary is recorded and revisited on a regular basis. 

Pupils are given the opportunity to enhance their learning through real-life studies in the school grounds and around the local area. The children are prepared for fieldwork, with pre-teaching and discussion of the structure of the activity prior to taking part.  The pupils are able to develop deeper thinking with enquiry questions, collection of data, and presenting their findings. Using a subscription Geography resource ‘Oddizzi’ the children learn about global issues. Alongside educational visits, themed events and opportunities to explore diverse places and cultures around the world, pupils develop curiosity and a wider understanding of a sense of place. Environmental issues, climate change and sustainability broaden horizons, strengthen geographical skills, and provide valuable opportunities to study human and physical geography in meaningful and memorable contexts.