Geography

Nicola Frogley joined the Wetherby teaching team in June 2008. She has been the class teacher of 1 Green and the Geography Co-ordinator since September 2008. She is a member of the Geographical Association and part of a network of geography teachers throughout London. She completed a Bachelor of Primary Education with honours at the University of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia in 2005. Her first years of teaching were in a leafy suburban school and centred around years 3 and 4. As part of a unique Cultural Awareness Program run within the school, Mrs. Frogley gained experience and insights into teaching Geography to children from reception to year 7. Since making the long trip from southern to northern Hemisphere, she has experienced many different cultures and been inspired to share her enthusiasm about the world to the classroom. She hopes to make geography better known by and more engaging for the boys at Wetherby despite the limited opportunities for field work and outdoor investigations. She hopes to help inspire a generation of boys who are intrigued and informed about their world and the issues we will face in the future.

Geography is important because it's the subject that links the world, history, citizenship, science and much much more!
(Suzanne Ward)

At Wetherby we understand the vital role that students of today will have in shaping our world in the future. By studying Geography, Wetherby boys develop an understanding of places, patterns and processes that have shaped the world we live in today. They think deeply and critically about environmental issues that confront all of us.

In accordance with Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum, particular skills are used in the study of Geography. These skills include:

• asking geographical questions
• observing and recording information
• analysing evidence and drawing conclusions
• expressing a point of view about people, places and environments
• using geographical vocabulary
• using and understanding globes, maps and plans at a range of scales, and
• identifying and describing places around the world.

Importantly, boys are encouraged to recognise how places have become the way they are
today and how they may change in the future.

So that boys understand how Geography fits into their broader studies at Wetherby, an
integrated approach is employed. Lessons have a strong ICT element and many lessons
include the use of interactive websites, games and presentations. Strong links are also made to History, Creative Writing, Comprehension and Art. Concepts are taught through a hands on approach and boys are encouraged to make, design and explore ideas.

Boys have exposure to many different topics within the geographical spectrum whilst at
Wetherby.

Topics studied in each year group include:

Reception

• My Location
• A Seaside Town
• Hot Climates - Africa

Year One

• My Island Home
• My Local Area - Notting Hill
• Weather and Environments

Year Two

• Water
• Natural Disasters
• Localities & Mapping

Year Three

• Environmental Issues
• Rivers Around the World
• Settlements in India

With a sound understanding of the United Kingdom, the wider world and the geographical
challenges we face today, we hope that Wetherby boys will go on to become good stewards of our world - the future is in their hands!

 

The slideshow below shows Year 1 boys walking to Portobello Rd following the local map of Notting Hill area.