This afternoon, I returned to Foxmoor Primary School near Stroud in Gloucestershire to deliver the second of two bespoke CPD sessions for all staff (https://www.foxmoorprimary.co.uk/). The request for this two hour twilight was to focus on geographical skills and fieldwork. Not only did they wish to consider current coverage, sequencing and progression of geographical skills and fieldwork across the school, but also gain inspiration for new activities to ensure a rigorous approach and invigorate teaching and learning.
After a formal welcome and introductions (Darren Bailey, who is based at Ordnance Survey, was joining us remotely via Zoom for the first hour), I outlined the aims and format of the session.
I then handed over to Darren, who had kindly offered to give staff a demo of Digimap for Schools (DfS) to exemplify its potential both in and beyond the classroom from EYFS to Year 6 (https://digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk/). Darren gave us a comprehensive tour of the platform and its tools. Staff were clearly impressed by its scope. I imagine the school will be signing up for an annual subcription to the service very soon!
After a short comfort break, I then took over. I referred to the latest Ofsted geography subject report, ‘Getting our bearings‘, highlighting references to geographical skills and fieldwork within its main findings and recommendations sections (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/subject-report-series-geography/getting-our-bearings-geography-subject-report).
Next, we revisited key documentation, such as the EYFS statutory framework (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65aa5e42ed27ca001327b2c7/EYFS_statutory_framework_for_group_and_school_based_providers.pdf), non-statutory Development Matters and Birth to 5 Matters guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/development-matters–2 and https://birthto5matters.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Birthto5Matters-download.pdf), as well as the National Curriculum geography programmes of study for key stages 1 and 2 (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a7c1ecae5274a1f5cc75e97/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Geography.pdf), to refresh ourselves about coverage, sequencing and progression relating to geographical skills and fieldwork.
I also directed staff towards a couple of essential reads, namely an award-winning article written by Julia Tanner for Primary Geography journal entitled ‘Progression in geographical fieldwork experiences‘ (https://portal.geography.org.uk/downloads/journals/PG_SPR_2021_TANNER.pdf) and a more recent article composed by Steve Brace, Geographical Association (GA) Chief Executive, that appeared in Teachwire‘s Teach Secondary magazine (https://cdn.teachwire.net/e-mag/Teach-Secondary-Issue-13.6/64/ ) providing a primer for effective fieldwork. The Geographical Association Fieldwork and Outdoor Learning Special Interest Group (GAFOLSIG) have produced a brilliant poster outlining the ‘Reasons to do fieldwork‘; certainly one to refer to if you ever have to justify to SLT for wanting/needing time to take learning beyond the classroom (https://geography.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Poster-Reasons-to-do-fieldwork.pdf).
As time was of the essence, I pressed on to share my top ten go-to resources and websites with participants. I visited each in turn and pinpointed specific aspects that I felt they should look at. These included:
Digimap for Schools (DfS) – Learning Resources: https://digimapforschools.edina.ac.uk/learning-resources/
Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG) – Resources for Schools: https://www.rgs.org/schools/resources-for-schools
The Everyday Guide to Primary Geography: Local Fieldwork: Geographical Association online shop: https://portal.geography.org.uk/shop/view/P020586
Geographical Association National Festival of Fieldwork: https://geography.org.uk/national-fieldwork/
Mission Explore: The Geography Collective – Book 1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mission-Explore-Geography-Collective/dp/1904872336
The Island Geographer, aka Chloë Searl: https://www.theislandgeographer.co.uk/resources and https://x.com/theislandgeogr
Creative Fieldwork 2: https://www.field-studies-council.org/shop/publications/creative-fieldwork-2/.
National Nature Education Park: https://www.educationnaturepark.org.uk/resources
Teachwire, Teach Primary and Teach Early Years website/magazines: https://www.teachwire.net/primary/geography/ and https://www.teachearlyyears.com/learning-and-development
Geographical Association Geog Live! webinars: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Geog+live+fieldwork
I often get asked by teachers how they might incorporate fieldwork when they are studying countries much further afield, so I projected the Geographical Association (GA)’s response to this question and also highlighted five virtual experiences that I have recently engaged with.
e.g.
2041 School: https://2041school.com/teaching-resources/
Wicked Weather Watch: https://create2inspire.co.uk/2023/04/25/glosgeog-successfully-collaborates-with-local-charity-wicked-weather-watch/ and https://create2inspire.co.uk/2024/09/24/all-were-certainly-up-for-our-sustainability-art-challenge/
Ocean Conservation Trust/National Marine Aquarium: https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/experiences-events
The Eden Project: https://www.edenproject.com/learn
Step into the Amazon: https://stepintotheamazon.co.uk/2024/06/03/a-truly-global-dimension/ and https://stepintotheamazon.co.uk/2024/10/23/our-new-offering-went-down-a-treat/
I gave teachers time to independently explore the above suggestions that were most relevant to their particular cohort/interests. In addition, there was an opportunity for individuals to ask any questions that they had or gain further fieldwork ideas if required. There were very few, if any, which exemplified that I had done my job properly!
The session concluded with attendees completing a short online evaluation form, not only to provide valuable feedback to myself and SLT, but also to prompt them to identify the key takeaways from the session and contemplate their next steps for Term 2 onwards.
Judging from their ‘concluding comments‘, it appears to have been a worthwhile way to spend an autumnal Wednesday afternoon:
Informative, interesting, inspiring and lots of good ideas.
Good.
Interesting resources and examples of what we can use as a school to help with geography teaching.
Informative; resource-heavy; supportive.
Very informative with lots of food for thought!
Extremely useful, informative, new ideas and super range of resources.
Very informative and enthusing.
I shall be keeping my eyes peeled for evidence of teachers developing pupils’ geographical skills and taking learning beyond the classroom on a regular basis. Feel free to contact me if you need any more support. Good luck!