Geography
At Coleshill, our Geography curriculum inspires curiosity, fascination and a lifelong interest in the world and its people. We want children to develop a deep understanding of diverse places, cultures, landscapes and environments, so they leave us with the knowledge and confidence to make sense of their world. Geography is taught through an engaging enquiry‑based approach that encourages pupils to ask questions, investigate, explore and think like geographers.
Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build strong geographical knowledge and skills year by year—beginning with children’s local area before expanding outward to the UK, Europe and the wider world. Fieldwork, high‑quality resources, enriching trips and hands‑on experiences help pupils connect their classroom learning to real‑world geography. Across school, children learn to interpret maps, recognise physical and human features, understand environmental change and develop a sense of responsibility for caring for our planet.
We aim for every child to become a confident, reflective geographer who can explain their thinking, ask meaningful questions, use evidence and develop a strong awareness of how people and places are interconnected. Our Geography curriculum develops character, global awareness and cultural understanding, equipping children with the knowledge and values needed for an ever‑changing world.
Vibrant
Geography at Coleshill is vibrant, engaging and full of wonder. Children explore the world through exciting topics, fieldwork, rich resources, practical enquiry and real‑life geographical questions. Lessons are designed to spark curiosity—using maps, atlases, globes, digital tools, outdoor learning and trips to bring learning alive. Pupils experience high levels of engagement and enjoyment, developing enthusiasm for exploring places beyond their own experience.
Rooted
Our Geography curriculum is rooted in our Christian vision, teaching children that every person and place has value and purpose. We nurture a sense of stewardship for God’s creation, helping pupils understand how environments are shaped, interconnected and affected by human choices. Teaching encourages respect for diversity, care for the natural world and awareness of how actions (local and global) impact others.
Connected
Our Geography curriculum is deeply connected—linking children’s local identities with places, people and environments across the world. Children learn how physical and human processes interact, how places depend on each other, and how global challenges such as climate change, migration and trade impact communities everywhere.
We are also committed to challenging stereotypes about what it is like to live in different countries, ensuring children do not develop biased or one‑sided views of places or people. This means teaching balanced, accurate and diverse perspectives—helping pupils see beyond assumptions and recognise the rich variety within every culture.
As a whole school, we ensure every child is exposed to every continent, with a spotlight on one country from each. This is achieved through our carefully sequenced curriculum and our enhanced offer, including ‘Where’s Colly?’ whole‑school Geography Days, which inspire curiosity, broaden global awareness and help pupils explore the world beyond their own lived experience.
Inclusive
Geography at Coleshill is designed to be inclusive and accessible for all learners. Lessons are planned with carefully sequenced steps, high‑quality resources, visual supports, adapted tasks and scaffolded vocabulary to support pupils with SEND and additional needs. Practical experiences—such as fieldwork, mapwork, sensory resources and discussion—allow every child to participate meaningfully. Teachers adapt learning while maintaining ambitious expectations for all pupils
Adaptations in Geography
Meet Colly – Our Geography Guide!
At our school, we believe geography should feel personal and exciting. That’s why we use Colly, our friendly geography character, to help children understand where places are in relation to themselves. Colly lives in Coleshill but just like the ‘Where’s Wally’ character, goes on journeys around the world. Colly helps children understand where places are in relation to themselves.
Colly appears in lessons, maps, and activities to show pupils how locations connect to their own world. Whether we’re exploring continents, countries, or local landmarks, Colly helps make geography relatable and fun. By starting with “Where am I?” and building outward, children develop a strong sense of place and learn how everything fits together.
Colly’s mission is simple:
- Make geography meaningful by linking global knowledge to local understanding.
- Encourage curiosity about the world and how we are all connected.
- Support learning through visual and interactive tools that bring maps to life.
Look out for Colly in our classrooms and resources—because every journey starts with knowing where you are!
