Geography

“Geography is the subject which holds the key to our future.” Michael Palin

What is Geography?

Geography is learning about the Earth. It is the study of places and the relationships between people and their environments.

Geography at Cockton Hill Junior School:

At the forefront of their geography learning children will develop geographer skills such as use of maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping. Children will also learn to use the eight points of a compass, four and six-figure grid references, symbols and key (including the use of Ordnance Survey maps) to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom and the wider world. Fieldwork is also integral to the geography curriculum and children will regularly carry out studies to observe, measure, record and present human and physical features of our local area. Children continue to develop locational knowledge, progressing from knowledge of counties and cities within the UK through to the continents, countries, capitals, lines and hemispheres of the world as they travel through school. They will understand geographical similarities and differences through the study of human geography and physical geography including climate zones, mountains, land use and trade links.

Here you will find our Geography curriculum overview as well as unit overviews. These show the key knowledge and skills for each unit as well as some questions you can ask your child at home. Enrichment opportunities show how our curriculum is further enhanced.

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Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6

Our curriculum in action

Year 3 - What can I find out about my local area?

In this unit of work, Year 3 firstly learnt about how their school is in Bishop Auckland which is in County Durham, England. They enjoyed using North, South, East and West to locate England and Bishop Auckland on the Globe and maps. The children found out all about Auckland Castle and Binchester Roman Fort, two human features of Bishop Auckland. They also learnt about the River Wear and River Gaunless to begin their journey into physical features. More than anything the children loved carrying out fieldwork in town to see why people visit Bishop Auckland.

Year 4 - What is the North East of England like?

In this unit of work, Year 4 pupils moved their Geography knowledge on to the North-East of England looking at local cities such as Sunderland, Newcastle and Durham. They located these cities on a map and described their location using 8-point compass directions. The children enjoyed learning about and locating two North-Eastern human features: Hadrian’s Wall and The Angel of the North and two North-Eastern physical features: High Force and the Durham Heritage Coast. Further to that, the children used 4 figure grid references to locate these features on OS maps successfully. Thematic maps were also introduced with the children investigating how land is used in the North East.

Year 5 - Is it the same all over Europe?

In this unit of work, Year 5 pupils enjoyed studying Europe and its surrounding seas. They know that Europe is made up of many countries and can name Italy, Russia, the UK, Norway, France, Germany and their capital cities. The children can also locate Europe on a globe and range of maps using 8-point compass directions. Thematic maps were used again by the children. This time to look at climates across Europe including Maritime, Mountain, Polar, Mediterranean and Continental. The children enjoyed asking and answering geographical questions around weather differences in European capital cities.

Year 6 - In-depth study of South America

In this unit of work, Year 6 pupils studied South America, its countries, oceans and seas. They showed independence when locating South America on maps, atlases and the globe. Year 6 were also able to show skill when using the 8-point compass to describe direction. Thematic map work was further developed looking again at climate but this time in South America and also population. The children enjoyed researching other aspects of human geography in South America such as life expectancy, health and religion and asking geographical questions around these areas. Finally, they carried out fieldwork to record South American exports to the UK after finding out about trade in some of the different countries including Equador and Brazil.