Geography

Geography is a rich and diverse subject that gives children the opportunity to learn about diverse places, people, resources,

environments and the effect of mankind. It inspires a curiosity and fascination about the world from an early age and fosters

enthusiasm and a passion for learning. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops an understanding

of concepts, knowledge and skills.

Whilst the importance of geographical knowledge is recognised, we also wish to enable children to

become lifelong geographers who have the skills and attitudes to continue to appreciate the world around them. Throughout the Geography curriculum at Thorn Grove, children will learn the Earth’s key physical and human processes. They will deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes and how this affects landscapes and environments. Many contemporary challenges – climate change, food security, energy choices – cannot be understood without a geographical perspective.

Within each academic year, children will study a number of geography 'topics'.  Each topic is carefully planned to allow pupils to accumulate knowledge, building on their learning from previous topics and years so that pupils develop a deep understanding of the 'big ideas' in Geography. These are: 

• Investigate places

• Investigate patterns

• Communicate geographically

Understanding the world through current affairs is hugely beneficial for developing Geography knowledge and we encourage children to stay up-to-date with what is going on in the world by having access to National Geographic.  

Helping at Home

Having access to an atlas is a fantastic way for children to ask questions and become curious about the various countries around the world. Spending ten minutes a week investigating a new country within the world is a great way to ignite children’s fascination with our planet. For example, you could look at a country’s location in comparison to the UK or investigate food that might be eaten there. Google Earth is another great tool for doing this.  Below are some website you might find useful: