Geography

“Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?” (Michael Palin)

In an ever changing and globalising world, Geography is more than locating positions on the Earth’s surface, it is a subject which enables children to develop a greater understanding of the world they live in, and the issues it is currently facing.

Pupils in Junior House and Year 3 are taught Geography by their form teacher. In Junior House, Geography is incorporated into topic work in Years 1 and 2 and included in Knowledge and Understanding of the World in Nursery and Reception. The topics currently studied in Year 3 are the Arctic and Antarctic, the United Kingdom (with focus on the local area of Beaconsfield), a study of Africa, United States of America and a country case study of the children’s choice.

In Year 4 to 6 the girls study a range of different topics. In Year 4 this includes a study of Europe, farming, caring for the environment and a country study of India. In Year 5 they further their knowledge of the British Isles, coasts, weather and rivers. The main focus in Year 6 is climate change, tectonics and a study of different climatic regions. Map work skills development is woven through the topics, and links with current news are explored, where possible, in order to provide context and greater opportunities for discussion and application of knowledge.