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 …
Twilight CPD session (Oliver Tomkins C of E VA Schools)
This afternoon, it was the turn of staff at Oliver Tomkins C of E VA Schools in Swindon, Wiltshire, to receive some twilight training. Having previously worked with their Geography and History Subject Leaders and had lengthy discussions with the Headteacher, I had a clear insight into their current whole school geography and history curricula, plus cohort and surroundings. Between us, we …
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 …
A morning contemplating geographical skills and fieldwork
Our latest GlosGeog event (a CPD workshop aimed at primary school teachers, ECTs and trainees) was kindly hosted by The Balcarras Trust (https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/). On board today were individuals from 18 schools across the county, some current GlosGeog members and others whom we soon recruited! Darren Bailey, from Ordnance Survey (OS), joined us for the first part to provide an overview …
Time for another twilight CPD
This afternoon, it was the turn of staff at Bretherton Endowed C of E Primary School, close to Chorley in Lancashire, to receive some twilight training. Having previously worked with their Geography Subject Leader and had lengthy discussions with the Headteacher, I had a clear insight into their current whole school geography curriculum, plus cohort and surroundings. Between us, we …
Another round of bespoke CPD!
I really do enjoy working directly with schools, whether virtually or in situ, to review and develop their whole school curriculum offering for geography. Today, I met via Zoom with the Geography Subject Leader at Prince Avenue Academy and Nursery in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex (https://www.princeavenue.co.uk/) to look at ways to integrate effective fieldwork from EYFS to the end of Key Stage …
Back to Foxmoor to think about geographical skills and fieldwork
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, …
Virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting (1)
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 …
Off to Lancashire!
Time for some more bespoke CPD, this morning with the Geography Subject Leader at Bretherton Endowed Church of England Primary School near Leyland, Lancashire (https://www.brethertonschool.org.uk). The Head Teacher, Alison Maxham, approached me at the start of the summer holidays to see if I could deliver a couple of virtual sessions, firstly to support the Geography Subject Leader and then all …