Mid-June and time for the geography southwest Annual Conference, held, once again, at the University of the West of England (UWE) on the northern outskirts of Bristol, but today in a new venue, the Enterprise Park 1 building. Simon Ross, John Davidson, plus Dr Harry West and colleagues at UWE, had done a sterling job of pulling everything together. My …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Geographical Association (GA) Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025
What a busy, engaging, inspiring and stimulating few days; I now need a holiday to recover! It was great to catch up with friends and colleagues, put names to faces of social media connections and meet some new geographers and educators from all over the UK and beyond. It is hard to explain the ‘buzz’ that you gain from the …
History’s turn now!
This week has been devoted to bespoke CPD. Today, it was a session with the History Subject Leaders at Oliver Tomkins C of E VA Schools near Swindon, Wiltshire (https://www.olivertomkinsschools.co.uk/swindon/primary/olivertomkins). Prior to this morning’s virtual session, there had been a brief conversation and number of e-mails sent between myself, the Headteacher and History Subject Leaders to share documentation and establish ‘where they were at’. This …
A spot of bespoke CPD (geography)
This week has been devoted to bespoke CPD. Today, it was a session with the Geography Subject Leader at Oliver Tomkins C of E VA Schools near Swindon, Wiltshire (https://www.olivertomkinsschools.co.uk/swindon/primary/olivertomkins). Prior to this morning’s virtual session, there had been a brief conversation and number of e-mails sent between myself, the Headteacher and Geography Subject Leader to share documentation and establish …
Virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting (2)
It seemed quite a while since our last meeting (October 2024); just the way terms and holidays have fallen. However, we finally managed to get together once again for the second virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting of this academic year. On board this morning were representatives from over 35 schools across England, some familiar faces alongside a few …
Time to sit back and relax!
Every so often, it is rather nice to just be able to sit back, relax and take it all in! With no responsibility for any administration, preparation or delivery this evening, I could enjoy being absorbed in all things geographical. The line-up for the Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG)’s virtual Secondary Geography Teach Meet looked impressive and I was keen to …
Bespoke CPD (Part 2)!
It was, once again, time to reconvene with the History Subject Leader at Lawrence View Primary and Nursery School in Eastwood, Nottingham (https://www.lawrenceviewprimary.co.uk/) to continue our discussions around their whole school curriculum map for the subject. Following our previous session, the History Subject Leader had revisited my suggested websites, resources and ideas. I was really impressed with the progress that she …