Our Vision for Geography at Lee Common CE School

“Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future.

What could be more important than that?”

Michael Palin

"The study of geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places. Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet."

The Geography Association

At Lee Common CE School we develop children's natural curiosity about both their immediate surroundings and about places and environments in the wider world through studying a variety of human and physical characteristics of different places, both local and further afield. Children ask a range of questions to follow their own lines of enquiry and further develop their fascination with the world around them.

In order to help them to become well-rounded citizens, we give children an understanding of the similarities and differences between places and their cultures and the ability to recognise how these change over time. This encourages understanding, respect and tolerance of others.

We provide children with opportunities to learn and use range of geographical skills to help them understand, present, analyse and communicate a range of information either collaboratively or as an individual. They accurately use a range of geographical vocabulary when discussing their knowledge and understanding and debating contemporary and controversial issues. Geographical skills such mapwork, observation and analysis of resources are developed both inside the classroom and outside it, through Forest Schools activities, other local fieldwork and trips in order to bring Geography to life. Children are encouraged to handle artefacts, explore with geographical equipment and have hands-on experiences.

Cross-curricular studies and assemblies tackle current issues and inspire the children to care for their environment and of that of the wider world. In addition, we remind children that messages can start as ‘small seeds’ and so encourage them to spread the messages they learn beyond the school.

At Lee Common, Geography helps to provoke and provide answers to questions about the natural and human aspects of the world. Children are encouraged to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world, as well as understanding of their place in it. With strong links to our R.E., we teach children about other religions and cultures around the world, arranging visits to places of cultural interest, such as Radlett Synagogue. We have also enjoyed visits from a Sikh Group, an African drumming workshop and a Caribbean Steel Drum group. In addition, the children have enjoyed making and tasting a variety of foods from around the world. Our Geography curriculum enables children to develop knowledge and skills that are transferable to other curriculum areas and which are used to promote their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Geography is, by nature, an investigative subject, which develops concepts, knowledge and skills. We seek to inspire in children a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people which will remain with them for the rest of their lives; to promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. Our curriculum is designed to progressively develop knowledge and skills that are transferable during their time at Lee Common and which prepare them for their future education.

Progression