This evening, it was time to train governors at Huntley C of E Primary School in Gloucestershire (https://www.huntleyprimaryschool.co.uk/) all about Ofsted inspections on behalf of the Governor Services team at Gloucestershire County Council. Given the ongoing roadworks and bridge repairs along the A40 near Over, it was decided to opt for a virtual session to enable as many members of …
Governor training: Roles and responsibilities
This afternoon, I made my way to Coberley C of E Primary School in Gloucestershire (https://coberleycoeprimary.co.uk/index.html) to deliver a two-hour training session for governors, entitled ‘roles and responsibilities‘, on behalf of Governor Services at Gloucestershire County Council. Sandra Shepherd, Educatuion Lead, Education Outcomes and Intervention at Gloucestershire County Council, also popped along as she was keen to see how the …
Virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting (3)
With Term 5 coming to a close, it was time for us all to meet up again, albeit virtually for our final Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting of this academic year. We were a small group today as several of our regulars were involved in post-SATs treats/residentials, unable to secure cover to allow them to attend in real …
Time to be immersed in all things geographical!
Last week, I headed up north for the Geographical Association (GA) Annual Conference and Exhibition held at Sheffield College City Campus from 8th to 10th April 2026. The current GA President, Catherine Owen, had selected the theme, ‘Geography makes a difference‘. What a jam-packed and invigorating three days it was! Not only did I manage to catch up with many …
Virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting (2)
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 …
Time for another Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting!
A busy couple of weeks ahead for me, engaging with over 60 schools, either virtually or in situ, as part of the first round of Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meetings this academic year. Due to Sandra Parker’s growing commitments at GLOSSI (Gloucestershire’s School Improvement Service), the baton for oversight of primary geography has now been handed to the …
A little variety for the last week of Term 6!
The last week of term for many, but no let up for me! Ron Richards asked if I would conduct an Online Safety Mark (OSM) assessment at Prince Henry’s High School in Evesham, Worcestershire (https://www.princehenrys.worcs.sch.uk/) and complete the follow-up report before the end of this academic year. So, today, I set off early, thankfully in slightly lower temperatures than of …
GlosGeog embraces #NationalFestivalofFieldwork
GlosGeog, Gloucestershire’s local Geographical Association (GA) branch, felt that it should act as a role model and lead the way with a fieldwork activity to mark #NationalFestivalofFieldwork during the month of June. The following opportunity was offered FREE to schools, whether they were Geographical Association (GA)/GlosGeog members or not and located in and beyond Gloucestershire, to promote inclusivity and accessibility …
What a fantastic fieldwork week at North Nibley C of E Primary School, Gloucestershire!
Following the successful submission of a Frederick Soddy Schools Award application (https://www.rgs.org/in-the-field/grants/teacher-grants/frederick-soddy-schools-award), North Nibley C of E Primary School were fortunate to receive sufficient funding to facilitate a fieldwork week for all 110 pupils from EYFS to Year 6. The Headteacher, Mr Steve Hodgkinson, and myself met together via Zoom and corresponded by e-mail several times prior to the week …
Virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting (3)
Thursday morning saw our final virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting of this academic year, which had a focus on quality assurance (QA). Presenting alongside myself was Mark Enser, former National Lead for Geography for Ofsted as well as an HMI and now offering independent support to schools. We were joined by representatives from over 30 schools across …