At St Michael’s, it is our intention that Geography is taught through topic work, as part of a whole school topic-based approach to teaching and learning. This enables teachers to forge cross curricular links giving a meaningful context for the learning. However, teachers make it explicit to children that they are learning geography skills and that they are being ‘geographers’. Geography is important in our school as it provides a means of exploring, appreciating and understanding the world in which we live and how it has evolved. We explore the relationship between Earth and its people. It stimulates curiosity and imagination. Wherever possible, we aim to build upon the child’s ‘Individual Geography’ by developing geographical skills, understanding and knowledge through studying places and themes.

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At St Michael’s, our History curriculum is designed to ignite children’s curiosity about the past through a topic-based approach and hands on experience wherever possible. We are determined that alongside historical knowledge there will be a high focus on the development of specific historical skills. The teaching of history in our school is intended to equip pupils to ask pertinent questions about the past, analyse evidence, think critically, appreciate different perspectives and develop informed judgements. We believe our pupils should be taught to understand how Britain has influenced and been influenced by the wider world. In addition, our bespoke curriculum provides opportunities for pupils to explore their own identity, for example, through local history topics. Our History curriculum is intended to help pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups