Geography
Hi, I am Miss Bolland and I am Geography Lead at Boston Pioneers Academy. I love inspiring learners to explore the world around them. I have been fortunate to travel the world, experiencing different countries, cultures and landscapes, which has deepened my curiosity and love for geography. Seeing other countries first-hand has shown me how connected our world is, and I enjoy sharing this passion with our learners. Geography allows us to explore places near and far, ask questions about our planet and develop a sense of wonder about the world we live in.
What we are teaching in Geography and why it is important.
At Boston Pioneers Academy, we teach geography through an enquiry-based approach that nurtures learners’ natural curiosity about the world. Learners explore diverse locations and communities, learning about natural and human environments, key geographical processes and how places are connected. They develop skills in fieldwork, questioning, data analysis and map use, enabling them to communicate geographical information clearly. Gain knowledge of geography is important because it builds critical thinking, problem-solving and environmental awareness. Most importantly, it helps learners understand the world and their place within it, inspiring a lifelong curiosity and respect for people and places.
How we teach Geography
At Boston Pioneers Academy, Geography is taught through an enquiry-based curriculum that reflects our curriculum drivers. Lessons are designed to spark curiosity and promote aspiration by encouraging pupils to explore the wider world and their place within it. Learners investigate and compare diverse locations and communities, promoting inclusion and respect for different cultures and environments. Through fieldwork, questioning and hands-on learning, pupils develop independence, resilience and critical thinking. Strong emphasis is placed on vocabulary, map skills and data analysis, enabling pupils to communicate effectively. Geography learning is purposeful, skills-focused and connected to real-world contexts, supporting lifelong learning.
What we want the children to have learnt
By the end of EYFS
Learners will confidently explore and talk about the natural world around them. They will observe plants, animals and environments, describing what they see, hear and feel, and recording ideas through drawings. Learners will recognise similarities and differences between their local environment and contrasting environments, including life in other countries. They will understand simple processes and changes in the natural world, such as the seasons and how these affect living things. Learners will also begin to draw information from simple maps, developing early geographical awareness and curiosity about the world.
By the end of Key Stage 1
Learners will be secure in their knowledge of the world, the United Kingdom and their local area. They will be able to name and locate the seven continents, five oceans, the four countries of the UK, their capital cities and surrounding seas. Learners will understand basic human and physical geography, including weather patterns and seasonal change, and use subject-specific vocabulary confidently. They will apply geographical skills such as using maps, globes and simple compass directions, interpreting aerial images, and carrying out fieldwork to observe and explore their local environment.
By the end of Key Stage 2
Learners will be secure in their knowledge of the United Kingdom, Europe, and North and South America, with a growing understanding of global locations and connections. They will confidently locate countries, cities, regions and key physical features, using maps, atlases, globes and digital mapping. Learners will understand important geographical concepts such as climate zones, biomes, rivers, mountains, settlements and trade. They will use advanced geographical skills, including grid references, compass points and fieldwork, to analyse data and explain how human and physical processes interact to shape and change the world.
