New Waltham Academy Pupil Voice

Geography

We value the views of our pupils and hold termly informal chats with groups of pupils from Year 1-Year 6 to hear what they think about each subject.

Geography lead, I had a group of children age ranging from year 1 to Year 6 to share their thoughts and feelings with each other as well as myself on their geography learning. 

February 2024

In our pupil voice this term, we focused on what the children enjoy about their geography lessons. Teachers also held discussions with the children about what they had voiced previously (see February 2023) and actions subject leaders have made, to act upon some of these things. Children understand that leaders cannot change everything, but that their voice and opinions are taken into consideration.

February 2023

What do the children think about Geography?

‘I like learning about different countries.’

I learnt about what human geography and physical geography are.’

‘It makes me feel really warm inside to know about how other cultures live – I like that we are all different.’

I really enjoy comparing the UK with other countries - it surprising what is similar and different.’

‘I’ve enjoyed learning about map symbols so I can read maps.’

‘My favourite topic in Geography has been about Greece – I loved completing a thematic map comparing the climate of the UK and Greece.’

‘It’s good to know about climate and how the way we live is affecting it in different countries.’

‘I loved finding out about different biomes around the world and why certain animals live where they do.’

I asked the children what would children like to learn more of in geography and how they would like to do it?

To be able to pick a country of our choice and really study it in depth.

I wish we could do more on countries like New Zealand – countries we don’t normally study.

I’d like to know more about Italy, Hungary and India.

First, we discussed the question 'What is Geography?' and we collected our thoughts and ideas. We gathered these together by working collaboratively and created a word cloud using all of the words that we associate with geography. These ideas are displayed below: