Intent 

The Whitley Park Geography Curriculum aims to inspire in our pupils a real curiosity and fascination about the world and the people who live there, with the hope that this will remain with them for the rest of their lives. We aim to develop active global citizens who take an interest in the human and physical world around them.

At Whitley Park, geography helps children make sense of the complex and dynamic world they live in. Our curriculum instils a strong understanding of place, space and environment, encouraging pupils to value their local area while developing an appreciation of the wider world.

Implementation

Our curriculum has been carefully planned to revisit and build on prior learning to deepen children’s knowledge and skills.

In Key Stage 1, pupils explore their immediate surroundings, developing a sense of pride and belonging. By comparing their local area with contrasting locations, they gain an understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes and how these interact. They learn how and why landscapes and environments are formed and used, building the foundations to think critically, challenge stereotypes and become responsible citizens.

In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their knowledge of geography locally, nationally and globally. Through enquiry and fieldwork, they explore how the Earth’s features are shaped and interconnected. Pupils continue to think critically, challenge stereotypes and become responsible citizens.

 

Throughout their time at Whitley Park, pupils learning is structured around:

• Location knowledge
• Place knowledge
• Human and physical geography
• Geographical skills and fieldwork

 

Every year group has at least one fieldwork unit either in the school grounds, local area or further afield.

 

The Geographical Association’s Primary Geography Quality Award.

 

The Primary Geography Quality Mark (PGQM) is an award by the Geographical Association (GA) that recognises and promotes high-quality geography education in primary schools. It is a self-assessment tool and a process of reflection and development for schools to improve leadership, curriculum, and teaching and learning in geography, culminating in external validation by the GA.

Whitley Park achieved the Gold Standard on their first application in Summer 2025. The following comments were made on the feedback given by the GA moderators:

“Children are offered a wealth of engaging, hands-on opportunities to think, write, speak and work like geographers. The rivers modelling/large scale drawing, small world beaches, sustainable settlement design, materials maps of Africa and model making for mountains being some of our highlights.”