Learning for life, striving for excellence!
Geography at Meridian
Geography is an exciting subject at Meridian School. We believe that geography is about knowing our place in the world, encompassing physical and human processes and the interaction between them. This world will ‘get bigger’ as children grow up. We believe that engagement with the world outside the classroom is vital for this understanding to grow. It includes an engagement with real, contemporary issues. Our curriculum is based on the National Curriculum and has a clear path of progression, each topic linking back to previous learning, in order to deepen children's understanding of the subject.
Children answer questions and learn to ask them, using a wide range of sources from atlases to globes to digital maps. Through practical activities and hands on experience, pupils expand their knowledge of places and deepen their understanding of geographical concepts. At the end of a unit of work, pupils reflect on what they have learnt and enjoyed. Supported by teaching staff, pupils rise to individual challenges and look at ways they can move forward.
Early Years Foundation Stage
In our Reception Class the early learning goals are addressed by teaching geography through “Knowledge and understanding of the world’. The children learn through stories, play activities and hands on environmental experience.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1 children begin by exploring maps and observing their immediate surroundings, moving forward by investigating the U.K and comparing living here to life in Queensland, Australia. They develop their understanding of the World and knowledge of the different continents, researching extreme environments and linking climate to their location on the planet.
Emphasis is on making observations, discussing ideas and practical hands-on learning.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2 children are inspired by stimulating topics such as 'Extreme Environments’, 'Rivers', 'Europe' and 'Rainforests'. Fieldwork continues to play an important role as does the development of research skills. We have a clear outline of how geographical skills should progress year on year, using a range of resources including maps, atlases, globes, books and the internet.
Curriculum Enrichment
Throughout their time at Meridian children will have many opportunities to learn through first hand experience and practical work. Children learn through stimulating fieldwork activities in the school grounds, local village and city of Cambridge. We even venture further afield. For example, Year 5 children carry out fieldwork whilst on their residential trip to Hilltop in Norfolk.
At Meridian we aim to inspire in pupils an appreciation and understanding of their local area , as well as curiosity and fascination about the world and its people, that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.