Geography
Geography Curriculum Statement
At Nicol Mere, we aim to inspire curiosity and a lifelong fascination about the world and its people. Through our Geography curriculum, children gain knowledge of diverse places, cultures, environments, and resources, as well as an understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress, their growing geographical knowledge helps them explore the interactions between people and the environment, develop critical thinking, and appreciate the dynamic world around them.
We believe geography should be more than just facts—it should provide children with the confidence, vocabulary, and fieldwork experiences to understand both the local area and the wider world. Our curriculum helps pupils form connections between landscapes and lifestyles, encouraging them to become global citizens who are mindful of sustainability and the impact of human activity.
Intent
Our intent is to:
- Deliver a broad, balanced, and progressive curriculum that engages and inspires
- Provide pupils with the knowledge, vocabulary, and fieldwork skills to become confident geographers
- Help children understand the links between communities, environments, and cultures
- Promote our school values, closely aligned with British Values
- Offer exciting and relevant learning opportunities, including outdoor learning and educational visits
- Prepare children for the next stage of their educational journey
Implementation
Our Geography teaching is designed to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding in meaningful and memorable ways. We adopt a variety of approaches, ensuring children learn best through:
- Enquiry-based research and investigative activities
- Fieldwork and trips to sites of geographical significance, both locally and further afield
- Using a wide range of resources, including maps, statistics, photographs, graphs, non-fiction books, and digital tools such as DigiMaps
- Engaging in problem-solving tasks, collaborative projects, and opportunities for reflection
- Exploring local geography, understanding how Wigan and its surroundings have changed over time, and recognising the impact they can have on their community
To meet the needs of all learners, we ensure differentiation by:
- Setting open-ended tasks with multiple outcomes
- Grouping pupils appropriately and providing varied levels of challenge
- Offering resources of different complexity
- Using teaching assistants and peer support to guide learning
Impact
The impact of our Geography curriculum is seen in the confidence, engagement, and depth of understanding shown by our children. They develop not only as knowledgeable geographers, but also as critical thinkers and responsible citizens. Our approach encourages empathy, appreciation of diversity, and a keen awareness of sustainability and global responsibility.
Pupils are given regular opportunities to explore their local area, including walks, fieldwork, and trips to places such as the Lake District and river study sites, helping to contextualise their learning and strengthen real-world connections.
By the time they leave Nicol Mere, our pupils are well-prepared for future geographical learning and understand their role in protecting and improving the world we live in.