We are now well into Term 3, so it must be time for us all to meet up again, albeit virtually. On board today were over 30 individuals from schools across the UK, many regulars keen to come back for more, as well as a few newbies, who are always welcome. Mark Enser, former National Geography Lead for Ofsted and an HMI and now working in school support, joined us to present part of this morning’s session. It has been a busy week for me as I was delivering a similar session to a large group of local teachers yesterday in conjunction with Gloucestershire’s School Improvement (GLOSSI) team.
After the usual formal welcome, introductions and housekeeping, I outlined the aims and format of the meeting. I began with an ‘educational round-up‘, taking the same stance as I have in previous meetings as this has worked well, ensuring a reduction in the number of slides within my overall presentation and making the content more accessible. I concentrated on Ofsted and Department for Education (DfE) updates, in addition to items shared recently by the leading subject associations, namely the Geographical Association (GA) and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG). These included the following:
Ofsted
Gloucestershire County Council Schoolsnet Bulletin Board: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schoolsnet/noticeboard/schoolsnet-bulletin-board/ofsted-school-inspection-faqs-and-when-can-schools-expect-their-next-inspection-december-2025
Report card and report – Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester: https://strschool.co.uk/news/Ofsted-Report-/fcb199a9-1289-4b01-b122-07f3a8290970
Department for Education (DfE)
Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/curriculum-and-assessment-review-final-report
Government Response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690b2a4a14b040dfe82922ea/Government_response_to_the_Curriculum_and_Assessment_Review.pdf
Mark Enser
Website and blog: https://teachreal.wordpress.com/2025/09/10/ofsteds-new-inspection-toolkit-clarity-or-confusion/
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-enser-20a01673/
Substack – Teaching It Real: https://enserm.substack.com/
AI in education
Teachwire: https://www.teachwire.net/edtech/ai-in-education/
Geographical Association (GA)
In the Know series: https://portal.geography.org.uk/shop/view/P020676
GeogLive! 30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwTxt7o8KII&t=589s
Geography and Green Skills report: https://geography.org.uk/geography-and-green-skills/
BBC Newsround: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/articles/cj3814zxv1lo
Primary Geography article (‘Fostering international links: Zooming in and out!’ by Jon McCormick): https://mcusercontent.com/c26acee5fdcc2267c7b9d1e21/files/bc45709c-4d27-f523-9ee6-fce89164aaca/PG_AUT_2025_MCCORMICK2025111208485490272.pdf
GA blog: https://ga-blog.org/ and https://ga-blog.org/subscribe-to-the-ga-blog/, with recommended posts: ‘Different words, shared worlds: making geography accessible for EAL students’ by Fiona Sheriff: https://ga-blog.org/2025/11/24/different-words-shared-worlds-making-geography-accessible-for-eal-students/ and ‘Helping every learner access the world: reading support for EAL students through adaptive teaching’ by Fiona Sheriff and Maria Pitt: https://ga-blog.org/2026/01/15/helping-every-learner-access-the-world-reading-support-for-eal-students-through-adaptive-teaching/
GeogPod: https://geography.org.uk/resources/geogpod-the-gas-podcast/ and ‘Episode #97: Philip Parker – wonders of the Wear River Trust’ (a must listen for anyone based in the north east of England): https://geogpod.podbean.com/
Geographical Association Annual Conference and Exhibition: https://portal.geography.org.uk/event/view/E000184
Latest Primary Geography journal: https://portal.geography.org.uk/journal/view/J9781899086417
Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG)
Top Geographers game: http://rgs.org/schools/resources-for-schools/top-geographers
CPD events: ‘Enhancing primary geography with progressive fieldwork opportunities’ https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/primary-geography-fieldwork-opportunities and ‘Teaching sustainability and climate change within a primary geography curriculum’ https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/teaching-sustainability-climate-change-within-progressive-primary-geography-curriculum
Built Environment Schools Trust: https://memf.careers/
I directed delegates towards my Substack e-newsletter, which provides a weekly/fortnightly insight into developments within the realm of education (https://substack.com/@eduemma and https://eduemma.substack.com/p/emmas-educational-round-up?r=1yj0xh). It is FREE to subscribe to at present and the feedback from those that have engaged with it has been very positive to date. I went through this week’s edition (https://eduemma.substack.com/p/emmas-educational-round-up-cdb) and signposted attendees to previous ones this academic year (https://eduemma.substack.com/p/emmas-educational-round-up-78a; https://eduemma.substack.com/p/emmas-educational-round-up-531; https://eduemma.substack.com/p/emmas-educational-round-up-912; https://eduemma.substack.com/p/emmas-educational-round-up-7a7). I suggested that they go through all these to view my recent recommendations of websites, resources, books, podcasts, apps, TV programmes/movie clips, as well as CPD events, competitions and opportunities for pupils. Many realised what they were missing out on in-between meetings and decided to subscribe immediately!
I paused for ten minutes to allow individuals to bookmark and explore websites and resources that were most relevant to them, their cohort and school at their leisure. I tried to make sure that there was something for everyone. Delegates could also ask any questions that they had by either unmuting themselves or popping a comment into the chat feed.
Afterwards, I explained about the speed-dating activity that we had attempted yesterday; an ideal 10 to 15-minute task for a staff meeting.
So that my virtual participants did not feel left out, I instigated the following activity, which certainly set the chat feed buzzing!
The main part of the meeting was divided into two sections; the first delivered by Mark in order to provide updates relating to Ofsted’s Education Inspection Framework (EIF) and the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR), followed by my contribution, which focused on disciplinary literacy, with particular emphasis on ‘writing like a geographer‘ and geography vocabulary, especially the acquisition and use of tier 3 words.
Mark’s presentation was divided into two parts, Ofsted toolkits – The risk of the shallow paddle and Future ready – The primary geography curriculum. In the first half, Mark explained how the curriculum and teaching would be graded. He also encouraged us to think about how we might communicate the rationale for our curriculum decisions and suggested completing an A3 version of the below.
There were also other considerations in relation to achievement, attendance and behaviour, personal development and leadership and governance that we should be aware of. Mark’s slide summarising the key points was really useful.
After pausing to answer any questions, Mark then moved on to the second half, which looked at education challenges, geographical changes, the Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR), the role of knowledge, technology and procedural knowledge, a forward-facing curriculum, the importance of hope and hopeful geography, a golden thread. His slide displaying future-ready curriculum principles gave us much to ponder. Mark set aside a few minutes to pick up on our final thoughts and answer any questions that individuals had.
I drew attendees’ attention towards an article that had appeared on Teachwire‘s website recently, entitled ‘Curriculum and Assessment Review (CAR) – What it means for teachers‘ (https://www.teachwire.net/news/curriculum-assessment-review/, and relayed what Dr Rebecca Kitchen, Head of Professional Development at the Geographical Association (GA), had shared with us at a GlosGeog event last December (https://create2inspire.co.uk/2025/12/11/one-for-teachers-before-the-end-of-term-2/). The Geographical Association (GA) has just published a batch of support materials for primary and secondary school teachers, which are well worth perusing (https://geography.org.uk/the-curriculum-and-assessment-review-final-report-free-cpd-resources and https://geography.org.uk/events-cpd/cpd-courses/the-curriculum-and-assessment-review-key-information-for-geography-teachers-cpd/).
Following a short comfort break, I was at the helm to explore disciplinary literacy, with particular emphasis on ‘writing like a geographer‘. I linked to the latest geography subject report: Getting our bearings (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/subject-report-series-geography/getting-our-bearings-geography-subject-report#geography-in-primary-schools) and zoomed into the commentary to illustrate what to avoid (Geography in primary schools > Pedagogy > Summary of the research review relevant to pedagogy > 43). I then shared an example of best practice, relating to a virtual multi-schools event that I had co-delivered with Marcella Haddad in conjunction with Step into the Amazon (https://stepintotheamazon.co.uk/2025/11/12/a-new-stance-for-2025-2026/). The optional follow-up task (also an ideal written assessment) took into account points raised in the 2025 Writing Framework (quality over quantity; integration of subject-specific vocabulary). I think delegates were suitably impressed by the selection of pupils’ work included and appreciated how this task could be adapted so that it was inclusive and accessible to all. During our in situ event, teachers spent some time working in small groups, designing a written task relating to their current or a future geography unit, which they would then trial with pupils on their return to school. It was proposed that examples of work could be subsequently distributed among their small group and an element of moderation take place.
Next, I focused on geography vocabulary, especially the acquisition and use of tier 3 words. I signposted teachers towards a short clip produced by the Department for Education, which clearly explains the different word tiers (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SV-4CPJXdtA&list=PLXjcCX3hH9LUJ2rOfYcKkkUkH898128VQ&index=7) and suggested that they also have a listen to Kate Stockings on GeogPod, whose episode looks at how to speak like a geographer and contains relevant content (https://geogpod.podbean.com/e/episode-20-kate-stockings/). I projected a word list created for a Geographical Association project on place (https://geography.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GA_ITE_SFT_Word_list_2022.pdf), an approach that delegates could easily replicate for specific geography units they are teaching. I highlighted how AI might be used to identify key vocabulary too (https://gemini.google.com/share/418b19957af6) and displayed an example that Mark Anderson, aka The Original ICT Evangalist, had sent me (https://gemini.google.com/share/418b19957af6. Delegates were challenged to the below activity to ‘have a play’ themselves.
The meeting concluded with a time for reflection. Participants were requested to complete a short online form, not only to provide feedback to Mark and myself, but also to consider their most valuable takeaway from the morning and aspects that they still regard as being rather challenging and would appreciate addressing in future meetings.
Some of their ‘concluding comments‘ (summing up the meeting in five words or a sentence or two) can be viewed below:
Future-proofing the curriculum.
Inspiring; insightful; energising; practical; motivating.
Informative; helpful; use of AI.
Forward-looking; relevant; purposeful.; hopeful; thought-provoking.
A fantastic session with loads of resources to begin to share with other staff. Practically planned a CPD session for the summer term.
Very useful and informative.
Very interesting. Some useful ideas shared. Thank you.
Inspiring with AI ideas; helpful with former Ofsted Subject Lead; well-resourced.
Useful, practical ideas that are achievable without being time-consuming.
The meeting provided insightful geography training with practical takeaways.
Extremely useful and informative, as always.
Very useful, informative and current.
Interesting information re: CAR and useful information re: English and tier vocab – not thought about AI.
Thought-provoking; interesting; useful as always!
Useful; informative.
Thought-provoking; inspiring; helpful; resourceful.
Really detailed and useful. Great to be able to ask questions.
Another excellent geography network with so much to take back to school and share with colleagues. Emma and Mark are extremely knowledgeable and provide resources and web links.
Interesting; informative; thought-provoking; forward-thinking and empowering.
Thank you Emma – really useful and informative as always.
Thank you, Emma and Mark, for today. I really feel like I have a lot to takeaway from today’s session.
Brilliant as always, Emma. Thank you.
Thank you, Emma and Mark, lots to take away and think about!
I have got so many things to go away and look at! Thank you so much, Emma and Mark. Brilliant, brilliant session.
Thank you, that was so helpful as a subject lead!
Super session yet again! So useful for me in my first year as a Geography Lead. Thank you!
Excellent session again. Thank you so much. It was brilliant! So much to take back and think about.
Thank you, fab as always!
Thank you, really enjoyed the session.
Thank you, very useful.
Thank you, as ever, always lots to think about and feedback to SLT.
Thank you for the wonderful, thought-provoking session.
Brilliant! Thanks again and see you in May!
Thank you. A really great session.
Once again, it appears to have been a very worthwhile way to spend a dull and rather wet Friday morning. Many thanks to Mark for sharing his insight and expertise with us all too. 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 22nd May 2026. Further details will follow in early to mid-April.
Hope Terms 3 and 4 provide a rewarding and enriching teaching and learning experience for both you and pupils.