Symondsbury 
Humanities
At Symondsbury Primary School we are proud of our History and Geography Curriculum and the way in which it inspires learners. Topics are taught in engaging ways involving trips, workshops and visits as appropriate. The children work towards a ‘Fabulous Finish’ which provides further purpose and depth to our learning as the children share what they have learnt with parents and others through a variety of ways, all planned by themselves.
Read on to find out about our intent and aims of our Geography and History Curriculum.
Geography Statement of Intent
At Symondsbury Primary School we believe Geography is an important part of the curriculum where pupils can become engaged and develop key skills. Geography is an exciting, relevant subject which can be seen in action in the daily lives of our pupils. There are many cross-curricular links to ensure pupils are able to see the subject in context of themselves and the lives of the community around them and wider world, developing their ideas of global citizenship.
Geography teaches an understanding of places and environments. Through their work in geography children learn about their area and compare their life in this locality to other regions in the United Kingdom and in the rest of the world. They learn how to draw and interpret maps and they develop the skills of research, investigation, analysis and problem-solving. Through their growing knowledge and understanding of human geography children gain an appreciation of life in other cultures. Geography teaching also motivates children to find out about the physical world and enables them to recognise the importance of sustainable development for the future of mankind.
Aims of Geography at Symondsbury Primary School
We aim to ensure that all pupils:
- gain knowledge and understanding of places in the world
- increase children’s knowledge of other cultures and, in so doing, teach a respect and understanding of what it means to be a positive citizen in a multi-cultural country.
- allow children to learn graphic skills, including how to use, draw and interpret maps.
- to enable children to know and understand environmental problems at a local, regional and global level.
- to work individually and co-operatively, listening to and valuing the opinion of others.
- to develop a variety of other skills, including those of; enquiry, problem solving, (IT) computing, investigation and how to present their conclusions in the most appropriate way.
History Statement of Intent The aim of History teaching at Symondsbury Primary School is to stimulate the children’s interest and understanding about the life of people who lived in the past. We teach children a sense of chronology, and through this they develop a sense of identity and a cultural understanding based on their historical heritage. Thus they learn to value their own and other people’s cultures in modern, multicultural Britain and, by considering how people lived in the past, they are better able to make their own life choices today. We teach children to understand how events in the past have influenced our lives today; we also teach them to investigate these past events and, by so doing, to develop the skills of enquiry, analysis, interpretation and problem-solving. At Symondsbury we aim:
- to arouse an interest in the past and past events;
- to help students develop a chronological framework for their knowledge of significant events and people.
- to enable children to know about significant events in British History and to appreciate how things have changed over time;
- to develop a sense of chronology;
- to help provide children with an understanding of cultural roots and shared inheritances and to be tolerant and respectful of the many value systems;
- to help children gain a greater understanding of history in the wider world;
- to distinguish between fact and opinion and develop their own points of view;
- to understand how Britain is part of a wider European culture and to study some aspects of European History;
- to enrich other areas of the curriculum;
- to have some knowledge and understanding of historical development in the wider world;
- to develop in children the skills of enquiry, investigation, analysis, evaluation and presentation
Click here to read our Geography Policy
Click here to read our History Policy
Progression of Skills in Geography
Progression of Skills in History
Geography Development Plan 2024 - 2025
History Development Plan 2024 - 2025
To find out more about history in the National Curriculum click here.
To find our more about geography in the National Curriculum click here.
