2026/2027
Autumn 1
Year 3 - Spatial Sense
Key end points of this unit:
- Compasses can be used to show directions
- The cardinal points of a compass are north, south, east and west
- The inter cardinal points of a compass are north-east, south-east, south-west and north-west
- A map shows information about land and contains symbols.
- Grid references can help us to locate points on a map.
In this unit, the students will use maps, compasses and globes to locate places of interest. In order to build their knowledge of the United Kingdom, they will be able to use geographical vocabulary when talking about the location of different places. They will learn how symbols can be convenient ways of demonstrating where something is positioned and the number of them. Students will gain an understanding of similarities and differences through the study of human and physical geography.
Year 4 - Spatial Sense
Key end points of this unit:
- Latitude and longitude are used to help with location specificity.
- The equator and the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn are significant lines of latitude.
- The Prime Meridian is a significant line of longitude.
- The scale helps us determine the distance between places on a map.
- To understand how our local area has changed over time.
Building on their work on spatial sense in Year 3, the students will begin to learn how scales can be used to more accurately determine distances; this includes the use of small and large-scale maps. The study of grid references in Year 3 will be developed as the children learn about four and six-figure grid references. Fieldwork will be conducted to allow the local area to be compared and contrasted to the past.
Year 5/6 - Spatial Sense
Key end points of this unit:
- Lines of latitude and longitude can help us understand climate.
- The coordinates formed from the crossover of lines of latitude and longitude are useful for a variety of people.
- The Arctic is home to the North Pole and Antarctica is home to the South Pole,
- Time zones reflect the fact that not all the world experiences daytime simultaneously.
- Map projection involves representing the curved Earth on a flat surface.
Using the work on latitude and longitude from Year 4 as a foundation, the children will learn how these imaginary lines can be useful to help us understand shared climates worldwide. They will consider which types of people may use latitude and longitude in their everyday life. Fascinating phenomenons such as Polar Night and Midnight Sun will be studied and used to help understand the Earth's tilt on its axis.