Geography
Geography in Our Federation: Be the Light -Explore, Understand, Inspire
Geography in our Federation is a bold and exciting journey that begins with our youngest explorers. From their earliest days in school, children are encouraged to observe, question, and wonder about the world around them. Whether it’s watching the changing seasons in our school grounds or discovering mini-beasts in Forest School, our youngest learners begin to build a sense of place and connection with the environment.
As children grow, so does their understanding. Our curriculum is carefully designed to take them from the familiar to the far-reaching. Rooted in the stunning Yorkshire Dales, pupils explore the beauty and complexity of their local landscape. Through local field studies, they investigate how humans interact with and impact the environment, developing a deep understanding of sustainability, responsibility, and the importance of caring for the world they live in.
We teach children about the changing environment. From climate change and deforestation to urbanisation and pollution we explore the consequences these changes have on people, places, and ecosystems. Children learn to think critically about the challenges facing our planet and consider how they can be part of the solution. We want them to understand that even small actions can make a big difference.
But geography in our Federation doesn’t stop at the dry stone walls. We take learning beyond the Dales through field trips to Bradford and residential visits to London, where children encounter diverse communities and contrasting environments. These experiences help them broaden their perspectives, and see the world through different lenses.
We also celebrate Global Spotlight Weeks, which shine a light on cultures, communities, and challenges from across the globe. These weeks are designed to challenge stereotypes, celebrate diversity, and raise awareness of global issues, helping children develop empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of the world’s complexity.
Our geography curriculum is interwoven with other subjects, particularly history. Children might first explore the geography of a region, its terrain, climate, and people, before learning about its historical development. This cross-curricular approach helps embed knowledge and deepen understanding, making learning meaningful and memorable.
Our Forest School programme adds another layer of richness, offering hands-on experiences that encourage children to care for the natural world and understand their role within it.
Through geography, we aim to nurture global citizens, young people who are informed, compassionate, and empowered to make a difference. We want our children to be the light: to shine with curiosity, to illuminate understanding, and to inspire change in their communities and beyond.
Subject Overview
geography overviewGeography Progression
GEOGRAPHY PROGRESSION UPDATED OCTOBER 2025Helpful Websites
Up to date weather forecasts
Activities, games and stories about Barnaby Bear’s travels for KS1
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/barnabybear
Newsround current affairs
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/world/default.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/uk
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b006mdbc/newsround
Environmental themes
The children’s section has many useful facts, activities and animations and includes sections on: air, energy, land, climate change, people and lifestyles, resources and waste, water and wildlife.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/fun/?lang=_e
Mapping
An introduction for key stage 2 on how maps work and how to interpret them. It includes these 8 sections: starting mapping, symbols, compasses and directions, grid references, understanding scale, measuring distance, relief and contour lines and compass bearings.
http://mapzone.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/mapzone/index.html
Local street maps including a ‘find my nearest’ function, which can be used to locate features e.g. schools, list them and link them to a map.
Search for local street maps by postcode, OS grid reference, place name or street name. Maps are extendable in eight compass directions.
Online mapping site which includes eye level ‘Streetview’
Maps resized to show population sizes, income, etc.
Distant locations
Very child-friendly site for understanding development issues.
Excellent site for global citizenship issues. Children’s pages include details of the history, geography and environment, people and society and a fact file for 14 countries), ‘children’ (exploring the lives of children in less developed countries) and ‘food’ (issues such as farming and fair trade).
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/coolplanet/kidsweb/index.htm
Includes a range of resources for information supporting distant locality studies.
Images
The Geograph® Britain and Ireland project aims to collect geographical photographs and information for every square kilometre of Great Britain and Ireland, and you can be part of it.
http://www.geograph.org.uk/search.php?i=41689877
Photographic images of countries which can be selected by continent, then by country.
UK, Europe and USA images
Panoramic images