Time for our first virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting of this academic year. On board this morning were representatives from around 30 schools across England, some familiar faces alongside a few newbies, with others accessing the recording at a later date due to staff sickness, lack of cover, etc.
After formally welcoming everyone and introducing myself, I outlined the aims and proposed format for the meeting.
We then moved on to the legendary ‘educational round-up‘, where I shared a number of resources, websites, forthcoming events, CPD opportunities, competitions and freebies with delegates. I paused for a few minutes to enable teachers to bookmark those that were most relevant to them and their cohort/school. Next, I allocated individuals to breakout rooms for a spot of speed sharing. Judging by the discussions that I witnessed when popping into each breakout room, it seemed that much ‘caring and sharing’ was taking place.
The main part of the meeting was divided into two sections. The first before break revisited key documents, such as the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters, Birth to 5 Matters and the National Curriculum geography programmes of study at key stages 1 and 2 to familiarise ourselves with their content and emphasise coverage, sequencing and progression (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65aa5e42ed27ca001327b2c7/EYFS_statutory_framework_for_group_and_school_based_providers.pdf; https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/64e6002a20ae890014f26cbc/DfE_Development_Matters_Report_Sep2023.pdf; https://www.birthto5matters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Birthto5Matters-download.pdf and https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c1ecae5274a1f5cc75e97/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Geography.pdf). I then encouraged participants to complete a SWOT analysis based on their first-hand experiences of teaching geography within their school.
Afterwards, I asked participants how they might use this SWOT analysis. Their responses included:
- I would like to ask staff to do one to gain an insight into units they like/don’t like teaching and why and see how I can best support them.
- I will use it to aid my action plan and future steps.
- I will use it to guide any subject leader time I get.
- I will use it for a staff meeting.
- I will use it to gain staff and pupil voice.
- I will use it to gather and share ideas at a staff meeting.
- I will use it to assess where we are with the subject and what the next steps will be in leading the subject.
- I will use it for my upcoming staff meeting on geography, which has a focus on oracy and fieldwork.
- I will use it for a staff meeting.
- I will use it during my subject leadership time – SMT – especially the funding ideas.
- I will use it to explore more fieldwork and outdoor learning opportunities.
- I will use it for part of an INSET.
Following a short comfort break (you should not sit in your seat for longer than an hour at a time ideally!), we reconvened to look at substantive and disciplinary knowledge, including working and thinking like a geographer. Firstly, we attempted a flat chat style activity via the chat feed, which actually worked really well.
I then explored the Geographical Association (GA) ‘A framework for the new school geography curriculum‘ with attendees. We focused on a couple of useful figures, which I used to highlight its aims and purpose, plus what the terms substantive and disciplinary knowledge actually imply. I provided a summary of this rather complex content before we tackled a couple of activities together (see below). These generated much interaction and discussion among delegates, which was great to see.
The meeting concluded with a time for reflection. Teachers were asked to complete an online evaluation form to identify the key takeaways and their next steps, as well as providing vital feedback for me (what they enjoyed the most; what they enjoyed the least; what items they would like included in our next meeting).
Some of their ‘concluding comments‘ can be viewed below:
Helpful; practical; interesting; varied.
Useful and thought-provoking.
Very helpful, great resources and informative.
Enlightening and extremely informative.
Informative; engaging; useful; developmental.
Lots of great ideas to follow up on!
Informative and encouraged thinking as a leader.
Collaborative approach with creative ideas.
Really useful – lots of great resources!
Useful network and inspiration for staff meetings and CPD.
We are doing quite well with curriculum coverage – need to think about fieldwork and how to make the most use of surrounding areas.
Informative.
Informative. Again, great breakout room chats.
Very informative. Really good to chat to other teachers on similar journeys.
Great updates and links we can use and look into further.
Lots of useful information given. I feel like it updates to what is relevant at the moment in teaching geography.
Thought-provoking; useful; practical; collaborative; informative.
Very informative session. Lots of ideas to follow up and investigate.
Informative; relevant; inspiring; helpful; reflective.
Informative; inspiring; reassuring; connective; thought-provoking.
Very informative and relevant to improving geography in our school.
So valuable, as always, with a great mixture of information, questions, discussion and a chance to talk with other subject leads. Thank you!
Thank you very much, Emma. A very helpful session, as always.
Thank you, Emma, really useful as always.
Thank you so much, a great session as always!
Thank you – a really useful session – with lots that can be used both with staff and pupils.
Really useful – thank you everyone!
Thank you so much, Emma!
Thank you, Emma, see you next time :).
I have to go back to class now, but this has been very informative! Thank you :).
A pretty worthwhile way to spend an autumnal Friday morning, it seems. I look forward to hearing about, and seeing evidence of, your endeavours between now and our next virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting on Friday 28th February 2025. Hope the remainder of Term 1 goes smoothly and you have an enjoyable and relaxing half-term once it arrives.