Geography Skills Progression at Littlebourne Church of England Primary School

At Littlebourne Church of England Primary School, geography skills are carefully planned and progressively developed from Early Years through to Year 6. Our progression model ensures that pupils build confidence, knowledge and independence as young geographers, equipping them with the tools needed to explore, interpret and understand the world around them.

From the earliest stages in EYFS, children begin by developing simple observational and questioning skills, learning to describe their immediate environment and express their views about places and features they encounter. As pupils move through the school, they gradually develop more advanced geographical skills, including map reading, fieldwork, data collection, analysis and critical thinking.

Pupils’ procedural knowledge grows steadily across the school. In Key Stage 1, children learn to use simple maps, globes and atlases, develop basic directional language and undertake fieldwork in the local area. In lower Key Stage 2, pupils extend these skills by constructing maps with keys, using four and eight-point compasses, interpreting aerial images and conducting surveys of their local environment. By upper Key Stage 2, pupils confidently use Ordnance Survey maps, six-figure grid references, digital mapping tools such as Google Maps and Google Earth, and apply their skills to investigate regions in the United Kingdom, Europe and the wider world.

Fieldwork is central to the geography curriculum at Littlebourne. Across all year groups, pupils observe, measure, record and present geographical information using a wide range of methods, including annotated sketches, photographs, surveys, graphs and digital technologies. Older pupils evaluate change over time, comparing land use, population data and historical sources to deepen their understanding of human and physical processes.

Alongside this, pupils develop strong disciplinary knowledge. They learn how geographers ask questions, collect evidence, analyse information and communicate their findings effectively using accurate geographical vocabulary. As they progress through school, children become increasingly confident in evaluating evidence, forming conclusions, debating geographical issues and considering the impact of human activity on the environment.

By the time pupils leave Littlebourne, they are able to work as independent geographers who can investigate places, interpret information from a range of sources, communicate ideas clearly and think critically about the world in which they live.