Issues of local and national significance are explored encouraging children to consider the balance of positive and negative impacts, and to develop their own opinions. We study the natural features and processes in our world and the role of people (including themselves) on the planet. The children will heighten their awareness of the way each of these affects the
other. Within this, children will consider the need for sustainable solutions to issues such as global warming and waste management, and how they can make positive contributions to them.

In Year 5 and 6, children investigate local issues (including the environment ‘In and Around Alban’, ‘Why do People Live in Cities’ and ‘Traffic in Great Barford’) and contrasting environments and places (‘Mountains’, ‘Rivers’, ‘The Environment’ and ‘St Lucia’). A range of activities, both in and outside of the classroom, are used to help the children to develop their understanding and learn new skills.

In Years 7 and 8, children learn new map skills while looking at the local area. Children investigate the physical geography of ‘Rivers and Coasts’, ‘Extreme Weather’ and ‘Earthquakes and Volcanoes’ making strong connections with the links to people. Studies are made of the human geography of ‘Multi-cultural Britain’, ‘Energy and Resources’, ‘Travel and Tourism’, ‘The United Kingdom in 2012’ and ‘Crime’. Children will take part in a range of activities aimed at active participation and independent learning and research, as well as activities aimed at improving their decision making and teamwork skills.

The resources, case studies and content are continually reviewed to ensure that children’s learning remains up to date and relevant in our rapidly changing world.

An optional residential fieldtrip to Norfolk is offered in Year 5, to enhance out-of-classroom learning.

Curriculum Overview
Autumn Term	Spring Term	Summer Term
Year 5
In and around Alban Thinking of Britain	St Lucia	Environments
Year 6
Mountains	Settlement	Great Barford Bypass Chocolate
Year 7
Extreme Weather	Mastering Mapwork Rivers and Coasts	Rivers and Coasts (Continued) Britain as a Multicultural Society
Year 8
Extreme Weather	Key Resources Travel & Tourism	London 2012 Crime