Geography

INTENT 

The aim behind teaching Geography at Amwell View is to inspire pupil’s curiosity, wonder and awe in the world around them by engaging all of their senses. Tailoring Geography teaching, according to the age of the pupils and their learning and communication needs ensures the subject is accessible and meaningful to all. Pupils benefit from regular timetabled visits to our tranquil onsite woodland area, The Dell, where lessons are set to inspire pupil’s curiosity in the natural world, through immersive experiences, which in turn develop skills such as collecting, finding, matching, sorting and comparing. The intention is for pupils to learn to develop their self-awareness and independence, as they consider how to dress appropriately in preparation for different weathers and to explore how they can stay safe when travelling through the carpark and along pavements. Opportunities for fieldwork and off-site visits enable pupils to extend their awareness of the world around them, beyond their everyday experience.

IMPLEMENTATION 

Through enriching learning experiences, pupils have the opportunity to foster their curiosity, awe and wonder in the diverse world in which they live. Onsite in The Dell, the carefully planned environment designed to nurture a sense of adventure enables pupils to investigate tepees, make potions and mixtures in the mud kitchen, explore scents and aromas from the herb garden or engage in one of the many activities available in the shed, such as creating wood rubbings. Off-site, pupils explore the local area through organised outings such as river walks and train rides, or for our post-sixteen students, visits to Mudlarks and local recycling centres in the community.

Pupils with PMLD access immersive sensory stories and massage routines, repeated to develop memory, anticipation, redirection of attention, and to evoke responses to indicate likes and dislikes. In the Early Years, pupils are taught Geographical concepts through the specific area ‘Understanding the World’, to develop their sense of self and belonging. Pupils develop an early awareness that they can influence others through smiles, reaching or eye contact, and using technology such as switches and the Eye Gaze to communicate or effect change. Pupils learn to build on their own first-hand experiences through small world play such as the farmyard or trainset. In Key Stage 1, pupils explore topics such as ‘Muck, Mess and Mixtures’ through hands-on creative experiences. In Key Stage 2, pupils begin to think about the wider world and natural features with a ‘wow’ factor through topics such as ‘Volcanoes’ and role-play experiences such as ‘Camping’. In Key Stage 3, pupils’ awareness of natural features and knowledge of how to explore areas safely develops through topics such as ‘Rivers and Lakes’, and role play experiences such as ‘Road Trips and Rambling’. In Key Stage 4, pupils begin to explore how we interact with our environment and how our actions can have a lasting impact, through topics such as ‘Recycle and Reuse’. Pupils continue to investigate themes such as colours and weather through our topic ‘Light and Rainbows’. In Key Stage 5, pupils explore uses of land through topics such as ‘Farming’ and ‘Holidays’, as well as learning more about where they live and fundamental British values through topics such as ‘United Kingdom’ and ‘Maps’.

All pupils are encouraged to show a ‘can do’ attitude to their learning, learning through trial and error, and all achievements, no matter how small, are recognised and celebrated. Pupils learn transferrable life-skills to develop their communication and autonomy, making informed decisions using items, TOBIs (true object-based icons), switches and symbols. Through hands-on experiences, pupils are supported to select tools appropriate to the job, and are taught how to use these tools safely, whether a pair of scissors, litter-picker or gardening trowel. During plenaries, pupils are encouraged to reflect on learning experiences, identifying what they enjoyed and what they might do differently next time.

IMPACT

Through the Geography curriculum, pupils will develop the ability to make sense of their physical world and community through hands-on experience. Through positive interactions with the natural world and opportunities for fieldwork, including off-site visits, pupils will foster an awareness of natural processes such as the weather and other living things as well as a sense of belonging within their community. Through fieldwork and visits pupils will extend their awareness of the world around them and can apply their values, attitudes, and ideas to future decisions they make.

Teachers complete summative assessment of pupil progress half-termly, recorded on Priority Objective documents. Video and photo evidence is uploaded to Tapestry throughout the half-term, to showcase learning.