Geography

'How does the geography of a place influence where and how people live?'

At St Martin's, we ensure that every child at our school develops a deep curiosity about the world and an understanding of the relationship between people, places, and environments. Our curriculum is shaped by one overarching question that guides learning from the Early Years through to Year Six: How does the geography of a place influence where and how people live? This question helps pupils make meaningful connections between physical landscapes, human activity, and the ways communities adapt to their surroundings.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), children begin their geographical journey by exploring the world immediately around them. Through play, stories, and outdoor learning, they talk about familiar places, notice natural features, and begin to recognise that environments can be different. They start to understand that people live in a variety of places and that these places shape daily life.

In Key Stage One, pupils broaden their understanding of the wider world. They learn to identify the countries of the United Kingdom, name continents and oceans, and compare contrasting locations. They begin to explore how physical features such as weather, landscape, and natural resources influence how people live. Early map skills are introduced, enabling children to use simple plans, symbols, and directional language to describe where places are and how to navigate them.

In Lower Key Stage Two, pupils deepen their understanding of physical geography through a sequence of carefully chosen topics. They explore mountains and volcanoes, learning how these dramatic features are formed and how they affect the lives of people who live nearby. They study rivers and the water cycle, discovering how water shapes landscapes, supports life, and influences where communities develop. Throughout these units, pupils use maps, atlases, digital tools, and fieldwork techniques with increasing accuracy, building a strong foundation for more complex geographical enquiry.

In Upper Key Stage Two, pupils broaden their global perspective by exploring a range of interconnected geographical themes. They study biomes, examining how climate and vegetation influence the ways people live across the world. They investigate ocean currents, understanding how they shape weather patterns, trade routes, and human settlement. Pupils explore the diverse landscapes, cultures, and economies of South America, comparing them with those of the UK. They also examine international trade, learning how goods move around the world and how economic relationships influence people’s lives. Through these topics, pupils interpret a wide range of maps, data, and sources, using them to draw conclusions and present reasoned arguments.

By the time pupils leave our school, they have grown into thoughtful, informed young geographers. They can ask meaningful questions, investigate places with increasing independence, and explain how physical and human factors interact to shape the way people live. They understand their role as global citizens and recognise that their choices have an impact on the world. Most importantly, they leave with a sense of wonder about the planet and a desire to explore it further.