At Stoke Park Infant School it is our intention to inspire our pupils’ curiosity and fascination about the world around us and its people living in different locations that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. In addition to this, we intend to develop a greater understanding and knowledge of the world as well as their own place within it and develop a love for Geography. The curriculum is designed to be broad, balanced and differentiated, ensuring a development of knowledge and skills that are progressive throughout their time at Stoke Park Infant School and also to their further education and beyond. We are committed to providing children with opportunities to investigate and make enquiries about their local area of Bishopstoke and Eastleigh so that they can develop a real sense of who they are, their heritage and what makes our local areas unique and special.

Our curriculum is tailored around the knowledge, understanding and skills required to be a successful geographer. Geography is taught as part of a theme using cross curricular links to make it relevant for the children. Pupils are equipped with knowledge about different places, resources and natural or human environments. They then apply this knowledge to gain a deeper understanding of the physical and human processes of the Earth. We are able to use our environment to teach children about their local area, giving them opportunities to observe and interpret a range of sources such as maps, aerial photographs and their own first-hand experiences from field work. Alongside this, children are taught the differences between their area and other places both in the UK and abroad, allowing them to develop their knowledge of the world at different scales: locally, nationally and internationally. Pupils learn the difference between human and physical features, strengthening their understanding and vocabulary. Children analyse how other people and places might be different to what they know and are familiar with, allowing them to make connections whilst considering their rights and responsibilities in the world both towards other people and the environment in which they live. They are also taught how to create their own maps. Children are given various opportunities to collect data through field work and to analyse and present this using various GIS.

At Stoke Park Infant School, children will be successful geographers by demonstrating a range of geographical skills. Our children will be able to show a broader understanding of their immediate environment, including Human & Physical features of the River Itchen and beyond with an awareness for people, places and different cultures. Children will have a developed knowledge of our climate and its impact on their everyday lives, with a consideration for weather and seasons. In line with other subjects, children will also gain an understanding of animals and their habitats and how they adapt to living in different environments. Our Rangers will leave Key Stage 1 with the ability to think, explore and discover like geographers.