This Year 5 geography unit introduces pupils to the coasts of the UK through the study of coastal landscapes, erosion and human activity. Pupils investigate how coastlines are shaped over time and explore why coastal environments continue to change.
Across six lessons, pupils identify important coastal features, compare different types of beaches and examine the causes and effects of coastal erosion. The unit also explores how people use coastal areas for tourism, transport and recreation while developing geographical understanding of the relationship between physical and human geography.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, this unit includes ready-to-teach lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated geography activities and assessment opportunities to support progression across Upper KS2 geography.
Explore the full Year 5 geography curriculum
See how this coasts geography block fits within our wider Year 5 geography progression.
This Year 5 geography block develops pupils’ understanding of UK coastlines, coastal processes and erosion through enquiry, mapping and geographical investigation. Pupils explore how coastlines are formed and examine the ways natural processes continue to shape coastal environments.
Throughout the unit, pupils investigate coastal features, compare different types of beaches and explain how coastal erosion changes the landscape over time. The lessons also encourage pupils to consider how humans use coastal areas and the challenges involved in protecting coastlines from environmental change.
This block forms part of our Year 5 geography curriculum within the KS2 geography scheme. It strengthens pupils’ understanding of physical geography while introducing more advanced discussion around environmental change, land management and the impact of human activity on natural landscapes.
The lessons are designed to work flexibly within different curriculum structures and typically fit within a 45-60 minute geography lesson. Many schools teach geography through blocked units across half terms, while others use shorter weekly geography sessions across the term.
Recognised as Highly Commended by the Geographical Association, our Glorious Geography scheme supports progression from EYFS geography through to KS2 geography, including mixed-age geography planning.
