The Intent Behind Developing Experts’ Geography Curriculum

The Developing Experts team has been busy creating our new geography curriculum for KS1 and KS2 and we’re excited to launch it on the platform soon. With 18 units, 108 lessons and a whole collection of brand-new handouts, videos, activities and more, it is the perfect solution for geography leads and teachers. 

Our geography curriculum is designed to inspire ambition, success and a deep appreciation of the world around us. We know how important a curriculum intent is, so here’s a list of what our curriculum focuses on: 

• Deep and diverse thinking. By focusing on the depth - rather than the breadth - of knowledge, our curriculum allows pupils to continually build on their understanding of topics throughout each year group. 
• Building curiosity. Encouraging pupils to become analytical, inquisitive and critical thinkers is at the core of our geography curriculum. Through exploring new perspectives and uncovering exciting knowledge, each pupil will gain the skills to think “like a geographer”!
• Countering stereotypes and addressing misconceptions: Do your pupils believe that all deserts are hot or the Arctic and the Antarctic are the same thing? Perhaps they’ve only ever seen the world portrayed on a map, instead of a globe, and therefore think that it is flat? Our curriculum addresses all types of geographical misconceptions. Your pupils will form the perspectives they need to fully appreciate the diversity of cultures and environments around them. 
• Alignment with the National Curriculum: Our geography curriculum is aligned with the National Curriculum and is focused on developing pupils’ geographical skills, substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge.
• Geographical awareness and skills: Along with the knowledge and skills outlined in the National Curriculum, our lessons cultivate skills that will benefit pupils outside the classroom. Map reading, understanding global issues, conducting research and environmental awareness are all encouraged.
• Leveling cultural capital: At KS1 and KS2, we know that some pupils will possess a broader array of cultural experiences than others. Through open-ended and flexible questions, our resources allow all pupils to approach any topic through a lens which is applicable to their experiences. 

All of these concepts are dominant features of the Intent behind our geography curriculum. Through using our resources, your class will have everything they need to become knowledgeable geographers. We know that getting used to using a new curriculum can be a long process, which is why our geography curriculum contains everything you need to teach a lesson. From presentations to knowledge organisers, our new units contain all the resources you’d expect from a Developing Experts lesson. 

Our three sample geography units will be launching on the platform next week, so you’ll soon be able to see all the benefits for yourself. Our sample units are Year 1 ‘The World, Year 4 ‘Volcanoes, Mountains and Earthquakes’ and Year 5 ‘Our Blue Planet’. Keep an eye out on the platform so that you don’t miss out!