Geography at St Mary’s Hampton
At St Mary’s Hampton, we believe that geography is a vital part of a rich and balanced
curriculum. Through high-quality geography education, pupils develop a sense of
curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Geography helps children to
understand the physical and human features of the world, how places change over
time, and how we are all connected.
Our geography curriculum is carefully designed to align with the National Curriculum
and supports pupils’ geographical development from the Early Years Foundation Stage
(EYFS) through Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. We take a progressive approach so that
geographical skills, knowledge, and understanding are built upon year by year. This
allows children to revisit and deepen their learning while developing a secure
understanding of the world around them.
How Geography Is Taught
At St Mary’s Hampton, geography is taught through engaging, well-sequenced lessons
that encourage exploration, enquiry, and critical thinking. Lessons are designed to
develop both geographical knowledge and key skills, enabling pupils to ask questions
about places, patterns, and processes and to investigate the answers.
Pupils are given opportunities to:
• Develop knowledge of locations, places, and geographical features in the UK and
the wider world
• Learn about physical geography, including landscapes, weather, climate, rivers,
and mountains
• Explore human geography, such as settlements, land use, trade, and
environmental impact
• Use and interpret maps, atlases, globes, aerial photographs, and digital mapping
tools
• Develop fieldwork and observational skills through practical and first-hand
experiences
• Ask geographical questions, gather information, and draw conclusions
In EYFS, children develop early geographical understanding through play-based learning
and exploration of their immediate environment. They begin to talk about similarities
and differences between places, explore the natural world, and develop a sense of
place.
In Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils build on these foundations by developing increasing
independence and confidence in using geographical vocabulary, skills, and concepts.
Learning becomes more detailed and analytical, with pupils making links between
physical and human geography and developing an understanding of global issues.
Geography is taught as an interactive subject where discussion, observation, and
enquiry are central. Pupils are encouraged to talk about places, explain their thinking,
and use appropriate geographical vocabulary to describe features, processes, and
patterns.
How Geography Is Assessed
Assessment in geography at St Mary’s Hampton is ongoing and formative. It focuses on
pupils’ progress in geographical skills, knowledge, and understanding rather than on
isolated outcomes.
Teachers assess learning through:
• Observation of pupils during lessons and fieldwork
• Discussion and questioning to explore understanding and reasoning
• Review of written work, maps, diagrams, and other geographical outcomes over
time
• Pupils’ ability to explain ideas, make connections, and use geographical
vocabulary accurately
Progress is measured by how well pupils develop and apply geographical skills, deepen
their understanding of places and processes, and demonstrate increasing
independence as they move through the school. This approach ensures that
assessment supports learning and values each child’s developing understanding of the
world.
Across all phases, geography lessons at St Mary’s Hampton are designed to inspire
curiosity, develop a strong sense of place, and equip pupils with the knowledge and
skills they need to understand and care for the world around them