Geography Teaching Today

Working for this award has seen a complete overhaul in the detail of the hours spent on the subject, the scheme of work, planning and assessments. Through this we have become more aware of the need to be more familiar with the level descriptors in the subject and to be more detailed in our planning, yet within a manageable frame work. As a result we have begun to identify it more to the children as a discrete subject and you are much more likely now to hear the word ‘geography’ that perhaps, you were a couple of years ago.

The PGQM has been a very useful tool to reflect on the subject as a whole. I have also used a similar document with all other curriculum subject leaders. Without the initiative started by Geography, the high standard of evaluation across all subjects would not now be in place.

The information that was needed for the Quality Mark seemed daunting at the time but over the year, events arose to help direct my plans for Geography. The more time I spent learning new ideas and sharing them with staff I got more and more involved within the teaching of Geography and having expectations from both my quality of teaching and from my pupils.

Thank for the positive feedback Louise. The Secondary Geography Quality Mark is in its pilot stage at the moment, and so one of the things that colleagues are being asked to monitor is how long various aspects of the award take. The whole idea of the award is that it enables a greater focus on quality geography through the SEF. The SEF work is work that most departments are likely to be doing already. The SGQM enables them to really think about geography education, and so creates the time and space to have that essential subject focus that would otherwise be missing. It would be great to know what other colleagues think. It would also be great to hear from others who are trialing this really exciting initiative.

I must say 'congratulations'! We are working on the Pilot Secondary G Q M. Would be good to know how much time was actually given to presenting, producing etc. Feel a little overwhelmed at present!

We have just been awarded the gold Geography Quality Mark and it has reassured us that we are doing things the right way and well. It has also given us the confidence to take risks and move geography into a new era in our school. The children are much more aware of the world around them and, in particular, through our eco-schools programme, to look after the only world we've got. Very topical at the moment! We will continue to take risks, try to be innovative and use our environment as the valuable resource it is particularly now we have moved to a more creative, motivating curriculum.