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Chartered Geographer

CPD Ideas

Author: RGS-IBG

"Schools which had designed their CPD effectively and integrated it with their improvement plans found that teaching and learning improved and standards rose"

Ofsted 2006

Online CPD available on this website:

Local networks

Fieldwork CPD

  • Keep your eye on our fieldwork pages for details of free training courses we maybe running as part of the Action Plan for Geography
  • The Fieldwork section contains many resources that could enhance your skills in topics such as Google Earth, GIS and planning fieldtrips.
  • The RGS-IBG runs a variety of fieldwork courses such as Off Site Safety Management, Overseas Expeditions and Educational Visits Coordinator training. View details.

Online CPD modules funded by the TDA

We are currently developing a range of online CPD modules for teachers to work through independently. These modules will be based around 5 topics: Key Stage 3, Fieldwork, Primary, Global Dimensions and Subejct Leadership. These will be available in Autumn 2009.

CPD Audit your department

Ever thought of getting together as a department and discussing what training experience you have and where the gaps in your department's expertise are? Why not try giving your department a CPD audit, and find out:

  • If some staff have expertise others don't, and can therefore present some training at a department inset session - for free!
  • Where the gaps in your department's expertise are so you can send staff on specific courses and training.
  • Which staff may be eligible for or working towards Chartered Geographer (Teacher) status.
  • If there is scope for your department to join with other schools to share its strengths and work on its weaknesses. See local network information above.
  • If some members of your department are taking less of an interest in their own CPD than others.
  • What impact CPD is having on your staff and pupils.

Download our CPD Audit document

Credit Crunch CPD

With CPD budgets stretched to the limit and time out of school at a minimum, many teachers feel that access to good quality CPD is not easy. Here are some handy tips if you are struggling to gain access to CPD, for whatever reason:

  • Peer mentoring, lesson observations and a school ‘buddy' system between staff- all free
  • The training courses, conferences and local CPD networks run by the RGS-IBG through the Action Plan for Geography are all free of charge. We are working to ensure a spread of free events throughout the country. View details
  • Many of our local network meetings are held in the evening which means no time out of the classroom. For meetings during school time we can, on occasion, offer to pay cover for the teachers involved.
  • By running a local CPD network for us you will have access to funding to be spent on the schools and teachers in the network.
  • Regular evaluation of your own teaching allows you to identify strengths and weaknesses- this in itself is CPD.
  • Check the CPD provision from your Local Authority, Advisory Teachers and Advanced Skills Teachers. Many of these are probably available to you for free or minimal cost.
  • Free online CPD is becoming increasingly available. This website contains a wealth of online modules, see details above.
  • Take advantage of staff who are able to attend courses during school hours- ask them to present an inset session to other staff when they return.
  • Use the departmental CPD audit to identify strengths within your department and ask these staff to train the others.
  • Are you aware of schools in your area whose staff have a good reputation? Why not ask them to visit your school, or visit theirs, to swap ideas and expertise?
  • If you wish to have an inspirational speaker come to your school but the cost is too large, join with other schools in the area to share the cost of the event.
  • Instead of attending examination board training, get a group of local schools together and invite the board representative to speak to you all as a group.
  • You can often earn money for writing resources and articles for organisations- get involved with the RGS-IBG and the GA and you may find yourself earning some extra cash while enhancing your professional development.
  • By becoming a Schools Member of the RGS-IBG you can get discounts on many of our training courses.


Are you running an event or conference?

If you'd like someone to come to your event or conference to present about Chartered Geographer (Teacher), or are looking for a Chartered Geographer (Teacher) to talk about a specific or general topic, please contact Claire at cgeogteacher@rgs.org

For Chartered Geographer (Teachers) collecting external CPD hours, examples include chairing or attending conferences and external seminars, presenting papers, leading/facilitating discussions and attending training courses relevant to teaching outside of your school. This might also include In-Service training days or participation at an annual conference or local network meeting. External events are allocated in "hours worth" value by the Society. For example, attendance at a full day professional event will probably account for up to 5 CPD hours depending on relevance and level. Similarly, attendance for two days or more at the GA annual conference, for example, will be worth 10 external hours.

For Chartered Geographer (Teachers) collecting internal CPD hours, examples include leading and taking part in internal seminars or workshops, internal training in school, leading field trips or by publication in peer-reviewed journals. Other internal hours may be accumulated by formal or informal training provided by the employer, systematic analysis of professional practice or by the mentoring of trainee teachers. Similarly time may be allocated for teachers who are training for other responsibilities such as pastoral posts, head of year, head of department, deputy head of school, financial and classroom management issues.

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