Geography

Intent 

At Ladysmith Infant and Nursery School, we believe that high-quality geography education should inspire curiosity and fascination about the world and the people within it. We want children to develop a strong sense of place, beginning with their immediate environment and gradually expanding their understanding to the wider world. Geography helps children make sense of the world around them while encouraging respect, care and responsibility for the planet and its people. 

Our curriculum is designed to build on children’s interests and experiences while also broadening their horizons. Through engaging topics, children learn about their local area, the United Kingdom and contrasting locations across the globe. We aim to equip children with the knowledge, vocabulary and skills needed to think like geographers, encouraging them to ask questions, explore environments and understand how people and places are connected. 

We also recognise the importance of geography in helping children understand key issues such as sustainability, environmental change and how people live in different parts of the world. By the end of Key Stage 1, children have developed a strong foundation of geographical knowledge and a growing curiosity about the world they live in. 

What do geography lessons look like at Ladysmith Infants? 

Geography is taught through carefully planned units that build progressively on prior learning. Lessons are engaging and enquiry-based, encouraging children to ask questions, explore ideas and develop their understanding of places and environments. In Nursery and Reception, children begin by exploring their immediate surroundings through play, discussion and observation, learning about their school, local area and familiar environments. They develop early mapping skills, begin to use simple geographical language and talk about similarities and differences between places. 

In Key Stage 1, lessons become more structured, helping children to develop key geographical knowledge and skills. Pupils learn about the United Kingdom and the wider world, compare different locations and begin to understand human and physical features such as weather, landscapes and settlements. Lessons include opportunities to work with maps, photographs and simple data, as well as regular fieldwork to explore the local area. Vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to help children describe, explain and discuss their learning with increasing confidence. 

How do we make sure every child succeeds? 

We are committed to ensuring that all children can access and enjoy geography. Our curriculum is designed to be inclusive, with learning carefully structured to build knowledge and skills step by step. Teachers provide a range of opportunities for children to demonstrate their understanding, including speaking, drawing, map work, practical activities and group discussions. Learning is regularly revisited to help children embed key concepts and make connections between topics. 

Assessment is continuous and supports teachers in identifying next steps for each child. Misconceptions are addressed promptly, and additional support is provided where needed to ensure all pupils can succeed. Fieldwork and real-life experiences play a key role in supporting understanding, allowing children to learn through first-hand exploration. By providing rich, engaging experiences and a supportive learning environment, we ensure that every child can develop confidence, curiosity and a sense of achievement in geography.