Our aim is that pupils will develop a strong understanding of the world around them and their place within it. Through our Geography curriculum, pupils are provided with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to explore physical and human geography, think critically about the environment, and understand how places and people are interconnected. We aim for pupils to become curious, informed and responsible global citizens who can ask geographical questions, analyse evidence and communicate their findings effectively.

At WPS, we use Opening Worlds in line with our History and Religious Education units that are taught in Key Stage 2. In Key Stage 1, Geography is taught through carefully planned, teacher-created lessons that are designed to meet the needs of our pupils and reflect our local and global contexts in preparation for Opening Worlds in KS2. Our curriculum builds knowledge and skills progressively from year to year, ensuring children develop a strong understanding of places, environments and geographical concepts.

These units align with the National Curriculum for Geography. The scheme ensures clear progression in geographical knowledge, skills and vocabulary, while offering engaging and purposeful learning experiences.

The curriculum is built around the following key strands:

Locational knowledge: learning about the world’s continents, countries, oceans and key physical features; understanding hemispheres, tropics, latitude and longitude.

Place knowledge: exploring similarities and differences between places at a local, national and global scale; developing an understanding of how human and physical features shape locations.

Human geography: studying settlements, population, land use, economic activity and how humans interact with and impact the environment.

Physical geography: understanding natural features and processes such as rivers, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, climate zones and natural hazards.

Geographical skills and fieldwork: using maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping; learning grid references, symbols and compass directions; gathering, analysing and presenting data through observations, surveys and fieldwork.

Environmental understanding: recognising the importance of sustainability, environmental responsibility and the role individuals and communities play in protecting the planet.

Through this carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils build a secure foundation of geographical knowledge and vocabulary, while developing enquiry skills, critical thinking and a deeper understanding of the world both now and in the future.