Geography

At Wellsprings Primary School, we want our children to love geography! Our intention is to inspire children’s curiosity and interest to explore the world that we live in, its people, as well as their place in it, which in turn aims to ignite a love of learning.

Geography is an investigative subject, which promotes the development of an enquiring mind. Through the teaching of geography, we help to provoke thought, questions and to encourage children to discover answers to their own questions through research and exploration. We develop children’s geographical skills and knowledge through studying places, people and natural and human environments.

We also intend for the children to become passionate and knowledgeable about our local community and beyond, by learning through experiences in practical and fieldwork activities; in turn helping the children to become active learners.

At our school, we love to run themed focus weeks, giving children the opportunity to immerse themselves in new, exciting and memorable learning experiences. Some of these special weeks have been geography themed and have allowed pupils to explore different places, cultures and traditions in greater depth while developing their curiosity about the wider world.

Last year, we held an India-themed focus week, celebrating the vibrant culture, rich history and diverse traditions of India. Throughout the week, children took part in a range of India-inspired activities across the curriculum, helping them to develop their geographical knowledge and understanding of this fascinating country.

To add to the excitement, pupils also had the opportunity to enter a special competition. The winning children were invited to attend an Indian celebration party, where they enjoyed traditional food, games and music, creating a fun and memorable experience that brought their learning to life.

Forest School

Another exciting opportunity available to our pupils is Forest School. We are incredibly fortunate to have extensive outdoor grounds, including a wonderful Forest School area complete with treehouses, rope trails, a campfire area, and an abundance of plants and wildlife.

Every class enjoys at least one afternoon each term in this inspiring environment, while additional Forest School sessions are timetabled throughout the year for smaller groups of children. These sessions provide valuable opportunities for pupils to explore the natural world, develop their confidence and independence, and learn through hands-on experiences.

During Forest School, children take part in a variety of engaging activities, including nature-based crafts, den building, problem-solving challenges and teamwork activities. They also have the chance to enjoy and appreciate the outdoor environment, helping to foster a sense of curiosity, resilience and respect for the natural world.

This year, Wellsprings school was fortunate to receive a grant that enabled us to redevelop our pond area. This has created a wonderful outdoor learning environment that provides children with a range of exciting educational opportunities.

The pond area has become a special space where pupils can take part in activities such as pond dipping, outdoor storytelling and nature exploration. It offers a peaceful setting for children to observe wildlife, develop their understanding of local habitats and ecosystems, and enjoy learning in the natural environment.