"The study of geography is about more than just memorising places on a map. It's about understanding the complexity of our world, appreciating the diversity of cultures that exists across continents. And in the end, it's about using all that knowledge to help bridge divides and bring people together."

At Leighton, our Geography curriculum is a passport to understanding the world and our place in it. Aligned meticulously with the National Curriculum, we cultivate in our pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world’s diverse people, places, resources, and environments. From the contours of local landscapes to the dynamic patterns of global climates, our pupils embark on a journey of discovery, learning to appreciate the interconnections between people and nature, and the importance of sustainable living. Our curriculum is designed not just to educate, but to inspire, fostering a sense of global citizenship and environmental stewardship in our young learners. Through geographical enquiry, we equip pupils with the skills to ask critical questions, think spatially, use geographical information, and understand the complexities of our interconnected world. Units of work are coherently planned and sequenced towards cumulatively providing the necessary knowledge and skills for pupils’ future to empower them to take their role as informed and active citizens in the 21st century.

Our curriculum is meticulously crafted to be a tapestry of knowledge, building upon layers of understanding as pupils progress through each year group and key stage. Anchored in a rich bedrock of substantive knowledge, such as the diverse ecosystems of our planet, and disciplinary knowledge, like interpreting topographical maps, our curriculum serves as a fertile ground for intellectual stimulation. A focal point of our approach is the enhancement of pupils’ vocabulary, enabling them to articulate complex geographical concepts and ideas with clarity and confidence. Incorporating fieldwork is fundamental to our geography curriculum, turning theoretical knowledge into tangible understanding by allowing pupils to interact with their environment. This hands-on approach enriches learning, fosters a deeper connection with the subject, and sharpens observational and analytical skills. Ultimately, fieldwork lays the groundwork for our pupils to become discerning and knowledgeable explorers of the world. We incorporate structured opportunities for knowledge retrieval, ensuring that learning is deeply embedded and readily recalled. By intertwining these elements, we aim not merely to educate but to ignite a passion for geography, fostering a curiosity and wonder about the world that will shape the future geographers of tomorrow.

A breadth of teaching approaches appropriate to the content and desired learning outcomes are used to engage all pupils and enable them to not just acquire knowledge, but to apply it in meaningful contexts. Revisiting ideas and concepts in different, more challenging contexts in later units, using varied assessments and the inclusion of quizzes are all designed to help pupils remember content and integrate new knowledge into their evolving conceptual framework.