🗺️ Geography at Cottesbrooke

Geography at Cottesbrooke helps children make sense of the world around them — starting with their local area and expanding outward to other countries, climates and cultures. We want our children to become curious, respectful explorers who are excited to learn about places and people beyond their own experience.

🌿 In the Early Years

In Nursery and Reception, Geography is taught through the area of learning called Understanding the World. Children explore:

• The school and local environment

• Maps and simple plans

• Seasonal changes

• Hot and cold places, including the Arctic and Australia

• Different family structures and cultural celebrations

• Jobs, transport and homes

These early experiences lay the foundations for more formal geographical learning later on.

🧭 In Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, Geography is taught as a discrete subject and is often linked to History, Science, or high-quality texts. Children develop key skills in:

• Map reading and simple fieldwork

• Naming the countries and capitals of the UK

• Exploring contrasting locations such as Kenya, Mexico, India and Polar Regions

• Identifying continents, oceans, and the Equator

• Comparing human and physical features of places near and far

• Understanding weather patterns in different parts of the world

We encourage outdoor learning, curiosity, and the use of real maps and digital tools. Our children start to see how places connect — and what we can do to take care of them.