Y5/6 (A): Where does our energy come from?
Use this unit hub to inform your Geography KS2 medium-term plan.
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Unit outcomes
Pupils who are secure will be able to:
- Describe the significance of energy.
- Give examples of sources of energy and their trading routes.
- Define renewable and non-renewable energy.
- Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of different energy sources.
- Describe the significance of the Prime Meridian.
- Identify human features on a digital map.
- Discuss how transport links have changed over time.
- Locate UK cities on a map.
- Use six-figure grid references to identify features on an OS map.
- Consider and justify the location of energy sources.
- Design and use interview questions.
- Plot points on a sketch map.
Lesson 6 involves fieldwork on the school grounds. It is important to risk-assess the proposed route taking into account any relevant school risk assessment policies and procedures. Refer to the Before the lesson section in Lesson 6 to prepare for this lesson. Please be aware this lesson may take longer than 1 hour.
Lessons 3 and 4 require a device (one between two).
Suggested prior learning
Y5/6 (A): Would you like to live in the desert?
Get startedLessons
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 1: Why is energy important?
- To know why energy sources are important.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 2: What is renewable energy?
- To understand the benefits and drawbacks of different energy sources.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 3: How does the United States generate energy?
- To understand how energy is generated in the United States.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 4: How does the United Kingdom generate energy?
- To know how energy sources are distributed in an area.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 5: What is the best way to generate energy?
- To explain reasons for choosing an energy source.
Y5/6 (A): Lesson 6: Where is the best place for a solar panel on the school grounds?
- To collect and present data on where to position a solar panel on the school grounds.
Related content
Unit resources

Knowledge organiser – Geography Y6: Where does our energy come from?
Aimed at pupils, a single page document that gives key facts and definitions from the unit Where does our energy…

Vocabulary display – Geography Y6: Where does our energy come from?
A display version of the vocabulary from the unit 'Where does our energy come from?'.
Cross-curricular opportunities
Science: Earth and space
English: Spoken language, reading
Physical education
RSE/PSHE