The Geography curriculum at Manor Farm Academy is split into four key areas: Locational Knowledge, Place Knowledge, Human and Physical Geography, and Geographical Skills and Understanding.
Why do we teach Geography at Manor Farm Academy?
At Manor Farm Academy, our mission is to foster curiosity and appreciation for the world by educating students about diverse locations and communities. Our geography curriculum encourages them to describe, question, and engage in discussions about their place in the world, starting locally and expanding globally.
Our Geography curriculum provides an ambitious and inclusive curriculum, systematically organized to equip all students with essential knowledge and skills for the 21st century. It emphasizes geographical knowledge, skills, and concepts, maintaining high academic standards as students explore key questions from a foundation.
Our curriculum promotes knowledge and skills applicable across subjects, contributing to students’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development. As an investigative discipline, geography deepens understanding of natural and human environments while igniting a lifelong curiosity about the world.
How do we teach Geography at Manor Farm Academy?
We utilise the Rising Stars Geography scheme as the foundation for delivering the National Curriculum in geography, as it is designed to be progressive, well-structured, and engaging. The curriculum is inquiry-based, fostering the development of both skills and knowledge, and is enriched with experiences to maximize learning outcomes for all students.
Each academic year, three geography topics will be covered through a carefully designed, progressive two-year rolling program. Teachers will deliver lessons on a weekly basis, alternating between half terms.
Revisiting ideas and concepts within more challenging contexts in later units, utilizing varied assessments, and incorporating quizzes are all strategies aimed at helping students retain content and integrate new knowledge into their developing conceptual framework. High-quality resources and materials are provided online to support the geography curriculum, which is strategically sequenced to facilitate the accumulation of skills, knowledge, and understanding for students’ future success.
The impact of teaching Geography at Manor Farm Academy
At Manor Farm Academy, our students gain a solid understanding of geography and its significance for their future. They recognize that geography is present in their everyday lives. Our pupils not only enjoy geography but also display curiosity and inquisitiveness through active questioning. They experience challenge and support as needed, empowering them to achieve their full potential in the subject.
By the time Year 6 pupils leave Manor Farm, they are confident and articulate geographers with a good understanding of the world, who are ready for the next steps in their education.
Geography Learning in action at Manor Farm Academy
At Manor Farm, children enjoy Geography, which is evident in their enthusiasm during lessons and the pride they take in the presentation and quality of their work. They learn in diverse ways: they might conduct research on iPads or laptops and present their findings to the class at the end of each session. In other lessons, they work with maps, physical resources, or engage in fieldwork. Teachers also use videos to spark interest and clarify complex concepts when relevant.
Every classroom includes a Geography display featuring key vocabulary related to the topic, thought-provoking questions, images, and outstanding examples of student work.
Additional Geography experiences at Manor Farm Academy
At Manor Farm Academy, students engage in a variety of enriching geography experiences that enhance their learning in geography. Activities include litter picking at the park, visiting Tatershall Farm, and participating in local walks. They also embark on a residential trip to Rand Farm, enjoy pond dipping at the Lincolnshire Showground, and take a trip to the co-op to explore fair trade practices. Additionally, students develop their navigation skills through orienteering at PG, creating a well-rounded approach to their geography education.
