Cardwell Primary School has significantly enhanced its Geography curriculum by embedding practical, hands-on fieldwork and adopting an investigative approach to learning. The school's aim is to make learning purposeful and relevant by using the local area, ensuring concepts transfer into long-term memory. Working closely with Year 5 teachers, they planned and delivered effective fieldwork focusing on the local area of Woolwich Arsenal, which has undergone significant change due to migration and development. The investigation, asking "How has Woolwich Arsenal changed over time?" , involved children using past and present maps, applying navigation skills, and collecting data on land use, traffic, and litter. The long-term goal is to deliver staff CPD on the rationale and progression of fieldwork.
The fieldwork had a substantial impact, equipping children with confidence in key geographical concepts like place, location, human and physical features, and cultural diversity. Crucially, the approach allowed children to draw upon and transfer knowledge from history (migration/Windrush generation) and urbanisation, explaining the causes and consequences of local change. Children concluded that Woolwich had transformed from an industrial area to a lively, diverse modern community. A Year 5 teacher confirmed that the hands-on experience led to higher levels of engagement and understanding from students, securing knowledge of settlement and land use. The Geography Day provided the school with practical activity ideas, an understanding of map skills progression, and strategies for integrating fieldwork across the curriculum.