Despite it being half-term for Gloucestershire schools, I am still at work! In-between a spot of much needed down-time, I continued to fulfil my obligations; to present at the Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG) and Historical Association (HA)’s Primary Geography and History Teach Meet, originally scheduled for 1st February 2023, but postponed due to national strike action. The turnout was very encouraging, …
Virtual Primary Humanities Network meeting (Term 6)
Trying to fit a virtual Primary Humanities Network meeting into a busy Term 6 is not easy, but we managed it! Our ‘real time’ numbers were slightly less than usual as several regulars were away on residential trips, could not gain cover due to sickness among colleagues or had Parents’ Consultation afternoons, Sports Day, etc. to attend. Nevertheless, there was …
Virtual Primary Humanities Network meeting (Term 5): The power of ‘everyday geographies’
Trying to fit a virtual Primary Humanities Network meeting into Term 5 when the return from the Easter holidays was quite late, there was a Bank Holiday to be taken into account and SATs week to avoid has not been an easy task! However, we managed to find a couple of hours this afternoon to gather together to share best …
Time to focus on cultural capital (virtual Primary Humanities Network meeting – Term 4)
A rather apt theme for our fourth Primary Humanities Network meeting of this academic year, and still virtual in format due to the continued uncertainty surrounding Covid-19, the need for a degree of flexibility and our growing numbers from all regions of the UK (and beyond on occasions): ‘What does cultural capital mean?’ and ‘How can geography and history contribute …
CPD: Tewkesbury District Partnership (TDP)
It was time for a little more CPD this afternoon: ‘What makes an effective Subject Leader?’ (Part 2). Once again, the intention was to make the session as interactive as possible to encourage collaboration and sharing of best practice among partnership schools. After welcoming everyone (we had a couple of additional schools on board today) and highlighting two forthcoming events (https://stepintotheamazon.co.uk/2022/01/25/having-a-focus-on-south-america-biomes-global-issues-such-as-climate-change-or-sustainability-during-term-4/ …
CPD: Tewkesbury District Partnership (TDP)
'What makes an effective Subject Leader (geography and history)?' - Part 1
Towards the end of Term 2, I was approached by Jane Farren, Head Teacher at Norton C of E Primary School and Co-Chair of the Tewkesbury District Partnership (TDP), to see if I was available to deliver two, virtual CPD sessions for Geography/History/Humanities Subject Leaders in local primary schools. It was agreed to focus on ‘What makes an effective Subject …
A little ‘stretch and challenge’ for the New Year!
Virtual Primary Humanities Network meeting (Term 3)
Starting the New Year as we mean to go on! Despite still being virtual in nature, I thought I would still try and provide a little ‘stretch and challenge’ during the third Primary Humanities Network meeting of this academic year. After reviewing the suggestions given towards the end of our last meeting and bearing in mind the themes hitting the …
Bespoke CPD: Ward End Primary School, Birmingham
I was approached by the Assistant Head Teacher of Years 5 and 6, who is also a regular attendee of our virtual Primary Humanities Network meetings, to see if I could deliver some bespoke CPD for their Humanities Subject Leaders before the end of Term 2. Their initial request was overly ambitious for one afternoon, so it was advised that …
Virtual Primary Humanities Network (PHN) meeting (Term 2)
Despite offering a face-to-face and virtual option for our second Primary Humanities Network meeting of this academic year, the majority chose online or requested a link to the recording of the meeting, plus a copy of the chat feed and the accompanying resources to be sent so that they could listen to/peruse these at a more convenient time. With over …
Virtual Primary Humanities Network (PHN) meeting: The first one for this academic year!
Still virtually, but at least it meant many of us were able to get together again. If things remain positive regarding the current pandemic, then I am hoping to conduct our next meeting face-to-face, as well as offer a repeat virtually via Zoom for those who are unable to make it in real time or are located further afield. The …