Geography at Littlebourne Church of England Primary School is designed to inspire curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Through an engaging, progressive and enquiry-based curriculum, pupils explore their local area, the United Kingdom and the wider world, developing a deep understanding of both human and physical geography. We aim to equip our pupils with the knowledge, skills and vocabulary they need to become confident, informed and responsible global citizens.

Learning in geography is topic-based and cross-curricular, allowing children to make meaningful connections across subjects while also benefiting from carefully planned stand-alone lessons that focus on essential geographical skills such as map reading, fieldwork, data interpretation and the use of geographical vocabulary.

In EYFS, geography forms part of the children’s understanding of the world. Pupils begin by exploring their immediate environment, learning about their home, school and village of Littlebourne. They compare life in Littlebourne with places such as India, investigate different habitats around the world and develop early map skills through hands-on experiences and discussion.

In Key Stage 1, pupils build on this foundation by studying the physical and human features of Littlebourne and the surrounding area, before extending their learning to compare life in the local village with Kenya. They explore weather patterns, climate zones and begin to understand how location affects how people live around the world. Children also develop a strong sense of place through fieldwork, local studies and practical mapping activities.

Throughout Key Stage 2, pupils’ geographical knowledge and skills are broadened and deepened through carefully sequenced topics including the geography of Canterbury and London; rainforests, islands and global biomes; Europe and Eastern Europe; mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes; settlements, trade and sustainability; rivers, coasts, climate and ecosystems; and Brazil, Scandinavia and global development.

Pupils learn to investigate how physical processes shape the Earth, how human activity influences environments and how global issues such as sustainability, trade, urbanisation and climate change impact the future of our planet. Fieldwork, mapwork, data analysis and discussion play a central role in developing independent geographical thinkers.

By the time children leave Littlebourne, they will have developed a strong understanding of the world’s landscapes, cultures and environments, alongside the skills and values needed to engage thoughtfully with the challenges of the modern world.