Welcome to Geography at Green Lane Primary Academy
“From the River Tees to the wider world, Geography at Green Lane enables pupils to see the connections between people, places and environments.”
Geography at Green Lane is all about sparking curiosity and helping children make sense of the world they live in. We want our pupils to grow up knowing where they are in the world, who their neighbours are – both locally and globally – and how people, places and environments are all connected. Geography gives children the tools to understand the past, live responsibly in the present, and imagine a better future.
Why We Love Geography
We love geography because it opens children’s eyes to the world around them. It helps them to notice the details of their own community, while also imagining what life is like for people in very different places. Geography shows how landscapes are shaped, how weather affects daily life, and how people adapt to their surroundings. Most importantly, it encourages children to ask questions – Why is that river here? What makes this town grow? How can we look after our planet for the future? Geography combines curiosity with care, helping children understand not just where places are, but why they matter.
What Learning Looks Like
Geography learning builds step by step as children move through school. In the Early Years, it begins with simple explorations of the familiar – their classroom, playground, and local community. Children might follow a map of the school to find hidden objects or talk about the places they visit with their families, such as the park or the shops. In Key Stage 1, pupils start to make bigger connections, learning about the countries and cities of the UK and comparing Middlesbrough with other places – for example, noticing how seaside towns like Saltburn look and feel different from their own neighbourhood. By Key Stage 2, pupils are ready to look further afield. They might follow news of a flood or earthquake and think about how people around the world respond to challenges, or carry out fieldwork such as measuring a stream or surveying land use in the local area. Learning is framed through bigquestions – such as “How do rivers shape the world?” – which encourage children to think deeply and make connections. Step by step, they build up a clear picture of how the local, national and global all fit together.
Talking, Exploring and Doing
At Green Lane, geography isn’t just learned from books – it’s experienced. Pupils debate environmental issues, present findings from fieldwork, and explain geographical similarities and differences. Fieldwork is central: from exploring our school grounds and local parks in the early years, to measuring rivers and investigating land use in later years. Children learn how to think and work like geographers, using maps, asking questions, and exploring the world first-hand.
What Makes Us Special
Our strength is our whole-school fieldwork journey. From EYFS right up to Year 6, every child gets hands-on opportunities to explore the world around them. By the time they leave Green Lane, pupils can confidently read maps, describe physical and human features, and connect local experiences to global geography.
How We Know Children Are Succeeding
You’ll see your child’s progress in how they can:
- Remember and talk about places they have studied.
- Use maps, atlases and vocabulary – showing an understanding of their place in the World.
- Make links between what they already know and new ideas.
- Show curiosity about the world and care for the environment.
Key Documents
Local Places For Families To Explore Together
| Attraction & Website Link | Description |
| Stewart Park, Middlesbrough | Woodlands and Captain Cook connections. |
| Saltburn & Coastline | Cliffs, beaches and seaside history. |
| Roseberry Topping & North York Moors | Famous local hill and countryside. |
| Tees Barrage, Stockton | Rivers, water use and flood defence. |
| High Force Waterfall, Teesdale | A striking natural feature. |
| Durham Heritage Coast | Dunes, cliffs and nature trails. |
Ideas For Geography At Home
| Website | Description |
| National Curriculum – Geography | Statutory programmes of study for Geography. |
| Royal Geographical Society – Resources | Resources and materials for young geographers. |
| BBC Bitesize – Primary Geography | Child-friendly geography resources and activities. |
