Year 5 geography is an exciting stage where pupils deepen their understanding of the world and develop key geographical skills. At this level, pupils should be taught to explore both physical and human geography, building on their earlier learning to develop a more detailed understanding of the Earth’s features and the ways people interact with their environment.

Pupils will investigate physical processes, such as the formation of mountains, rivers, and coasts, and study their impact on landscapes and communities. They will also explore climate zones, biomes, and vegetation belts, understanding how these influence the lives of people and animals around the world. Human geography topics will focus on land use, settlements, and economic activity, helping pupils to understand how resources are distributed and used.

Map skills are a core part of Year 5 geography. Pupils will enhance their ability to use atlases, globes, and digital mapping tools to locate countries, continents, and geographical features. They’ll also practise reading and creating maps, using symbols, keys, and grid references to accurately interpret and present information.

Fieldwork opportunities enable pupils to apply their learning to real-world situations, observing and recording geographical features and patterns in their local area or further afield. This hands-on approach reinforces their understanding of geographical concepts and develops critical enquiry skills.

Our Year 5 geography scheme of work is carefully designed to meet these objectives, fully aligned with the National Curriculum and packed with engaging resources that bring geography to life. From interactive lessons to differentiated tasks, this scheme provides everything teachers need to inspire curiosity and deepen pupils’ knowledge of the world. Perfect for teaching key topics while supporting progression in geographical skills, our resources are an essential part of any Year 5 classroom.