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Geography

Vision

Our aim is to inspire and ensure that our pupils are naturally curious about the world they live in. Geography is being able to link practical experience with engaging ideas, suitable for all learners. To promote the children’s interest and understanding of diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. We are committed to providing pupils with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Birmingham so that they can develop of real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local area unique and special.

Pupils should also recognise the cultural significance of geography in today’s world. Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, discussion, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world, improving spoken vocabulary and pupils understanding of how geography affects their own lives, the direction of society and the future of the world.

 

Find out MORE about our new ks2 GEOGRAPHY curriculum

In Summer 1, we transitioned away from our current schemes of learning for History, Geography and RE for KS2 and introduced 'Opening Worlds'.

What is 'Opening Worlds'?

Opening Worlds is a knowledge-rich humanities programme for History, Geography and Religion. Because of its rapidly discernible effects on literacy and highly inclusive approach, Opening Worlds is gaining appeal in schools tackling under-achievement in areas of social disadvantage.

The programme meets and substantially exceeds the demand of the National Curriculum for history and geography. The religion programme is compatible with the objectives of most SACRE locally agreed syllabuses in RE but substantially exceeds the knowledge-base and the resourcing that such local RE syllabuses offer. The programme is characterised by strong vertical sequencing within subjects (so that pupils gain security in a rich, broad vocabulary through systematic introduction, sustained practice and deliberate revisiting) and by intricate horizontal and diagonal connections, thus creating a curriculum whose effects are far greater than the sum of their parts.

Opening Worlds is rapidly becoming known for the following distinctive features:

  • thoroughness in knowledge-building, achieved through intricate coherence and tight sequencing; • global and cultural breadth, embracing wide diversity across ethnicity, gender, region and community;
  • rapid impact on literacy through systematic introduction and revisiting of new vocabulary;
  • subject-specific disciplinary rigour, teaching pupils to interpret and argue, to advance and weigh claims, and to understand the distinctive ways in which subject traditions enquire and seek truth;
  • well-told stories: beautifully written narratives and the nurture of teachers’ own story-telling art;
  • a highly inclusive approach, secured partly through common knowledge (giving access to common language) and partly through thorough high-leverage teaching that is pacey, oral, interactive and fun;
  • efficient use of lesson time, blending sharp pace, sustained practice and structured reflection;
  • rapid improvement of teachers’ teaching through systematic training in the Opening Worlds evidence-informed, high-leverage techniques.

For more information, visit: KS2 Curriculum - Opening Worlds

To understand more about Progression in Opening Worlds Geography, please download the document at the bottom of the page.

Intent

 

 

Implementation

 

 

 

  1. New Opening Worlds Implementation Cycle

    docx

  2. Progression in Opening Worlds Geography

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