Understanding Our World and Future Opportunities
Helping children understand the world around them prepares them for life beyond the classroom. At 1decision, our Our World and a Working World learning area provides a carefully sequenced, age-appropriate progression that builds pupils’ knowledge year on year.
Pupils begin by exploring the natural world and what lives and grows within it, before learning how to care for and contribute to their environment and community. As they progress, they develop an understanding of work, money, enterprise and their role in society, including how money is used and managed. This learning area is closely linked to wider PSHE outcomes, ensuring children are prepared for future responsibilities and opportunities. Immersive video scenarios and embedded assessments support understanding, identify gaps and track progress.
Click below to review the knowledge organisers for this area.
In Year 1, children begin to develop an early understanding of fairness, choice and respect for others. They explore their existing ideas about how groups make decisions together and learn that everyone’s voice can be heard. Pupils begin to understand what democracy means in simple terms, recognising times when people vote or choose things together. They also learn that people may think differently and begin to explore ways to make fair choices when they do not agree.
In Year 2, children deepen their understanding of how they can care for the world around them. They explore why it is important to look after living things and consider ways they can help care for plants, animals and their environment at home and in their community. Pupils learn about keeping places clean and encouraging others to do the same. They also begin to develop an early understanding of money and the jobs people do in their community.
In Year 3, children broaden their understanding of the world around them by exploring how people grow, live and work within their environment. They learn about the importance of caring for the planet and begin to understand how their choices can help protect it. Pupils explore ideas such as reducing, reusing and recycling, and consider ways to save water and electricity. Through discussion and activities, they recognise how small actions can help care for the world and reduce their impact on the environment.
In Year 4, children re-establish what they already know about how people contribute to family and community life before building on this through more complex learning. They explore the ways their actions can positively support those who care for them and consider how they can contribute at home, at school and in their community. Pupils begin to develop an awareness of the skills people use in different roles and start to recognise how these skills may help them in future jobs.
In Year 5, children further develop their understanding of how people contribute to family life, work and the wider economy. They explore how adults support their families and communities and consider the skills and responsibilities involved in different jobs. Pupils learn about money, including why people save, how it can be earned and the importance of looking after it. Through discussion and activities, they reflect on the views of adults and children beyond the school setting.
In Year 6, children consolidate and extend their understanding of money, work and financial responsibility in everyday life. They explore money-related terms and consider different ways money can be spent, including through technology and online purchases. Pupils recognise the potential impact of spending money without permission and learn strategies for saving. They also consider how their actions can show responsibility now by contributing positively to their home, school and community.