Geography at Enfield Academy of New Waltham
Why We Study Geography
At Enfield Academy, geography is a vital subject that helps children make sense of the world and understand their place within it. Through studying geography, pupils develop curiosity, fascination and respect for diverse places, people and environments, building the foundations of becoming thoughtful, responsible global citizens. Our curriculum encourages children to think critically about the natural and human processes shaping our planet, from local environments to global issues, helping them recognise how places are interconnected and constantly changing. As an investigative subject, geography nurtures children’s ability to ask questions, explore real‑world problems and appreciate the complexity of the world around them.
How We Teach Geography
Geography at Enfield Academy is taught through a carefully sequenced, progressive curriculum aligned with the National Curriculum and underpinned by our progression of knowledge and skills. Teachers plan using our whole‑school progression documents to ensure that learning builds year on year, with clear development of both substantive knowledge (what geographers know) and disciplinary knowledge (what geographers do). Geography is taught both discretely and through cross‑curricular links with wider topics, allowing pupils to explore concepts such as weather, continents, human and physical features, and environmental change in meaningful contexts. Fieldwork is central to our approach: pupils use first‑hand observation, simple mapping, data collection and digital tools to investigate their school grounds and local area, developing the skills needed to interpret maps, photographs and geographical information. This structured approach ensures pupils learn not only geographical facts but also how to observe, question, record and communicate like real geographers.
What Is Special About Geography at Enfield Academy
Geography at Enfield Academy is rooted in our local community while broadening pupils’ horizons to the wider world. Children begin by exploring their immediate environment, developing strong locational awareness before comparing their locality with contrasting places in the UK and beyond. Our curriculum emphasises experiential learning: pupils investigate their surroundings through fieldwork, use maps and aerial photographs, and apply geographical vocabulary with increasing confidence. Geography is enriched through purposeful links with other subjects, such as using map skills in PE or exploring materials and structures in Science and DT. Throughout their time at Enfield, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to understand the world and their role within it. By the time they leave us, children are equipped with the curiosity, confidence and critical thinking required to engage with the challenges of an ever‑changing world and to see themselves as active, responsible global citizens.