I have been asked by my School SMT to put together a document overview for the geography curriculum intent. I had a template to follow, and completing the work took about 15 hours in total, although I still have a few areas to complete. It is currently running at about 7,500 words.
I found the process the most helpful aspect rather than the final document. I found taking the time to think deeply about the curriculum and why I had chosen to include topics and in which order served to remind me why I love teaching geography!
There are so many different links within the curriculum that it could be a never ending document, but the power in the exercise was the thinking that took place. Questions that I considered were:
- What topics do we teach, and why are they important to teach to our students.
- What order have we placed this topics, and how does this order help to develop skills and knowledge in geography.
- How do we ensure that knowledge and skills are revisited across the key stages so they become embedded.
- Do we embrace current educational theory when we teach?
- Does the geography of our local area influence the geography that we teach? Should it?
By thinking carefully about these questions, I was able to crystallize our department vision, which now reads,
Our Geographical Journey and vison.
As a department we would like our students to experience a sense of awe and wonder as we explore the geography of the world and UK. As we move through the geographical journey, students will develop knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions that shape the world and closer to home the UK. We shall promote diversity through the students’ studies developing cultural awareness and respect of different communities, including our own British values. We shall encourage our students to be active global citizens through their development of an understanding of the importance of sustainability and the future of the world. Throughout this process we shall be developing and revisiting geographical skills that students can then use in later life.
In short we would like our students to develop into Geographical Apples
Awe and wonder
Processes and interactions
Personal responsibilities
Locational knowledge
Everyday geographical skills
Sustainability
The idea of Apples is a play on the name of my school.
Geographical reflections 