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 (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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
GlosGeog’s Secondary Geography Teach Meet is a success!
Following GlosGeog’s successful virtual Primary Teach Meet in mid-April, it was decided to run a similar event for local secondary school teachers, ECTs and trainees. The Balcarras Trust, where one of the county’s Teaching School Hubs is also based (https://www.balcarras.gloucs.sch.uk/), kindly offered to host GlosGeog’s Secondary Teach Meet, which was attended by myself and Peter Vujakovic, GlosGeog Committee members, alongside …
Virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network (PGSLN) meeting number 3!
Whilst the weeks when we hold in situ and virtual Primary Geography Subject Leader Network meetings are rather manic, I do enjoy them. Engaging with so many teachers over the course of two days (more than 65 from all areas of the UK), supporting and inspiring them in the process, is extremely rewarding. I also gain an insight into what …
Geographical Association (GA) In the Know webinar series
Well, it was time to deliver another In the Know webinar series for the Geographical Association (GA). This series of six, interactive webinars is a quick, easy and cost-effective means of updating your subject knowlege, whether you are a Geography Subject Leader, experienced classroom teacher, ECT or trainee. Further details about the series can be found by accessing the web-link …
Geographical Association (GA)’s In the Know webinar series
(Webinar 1: Climate, biomes and vegetation belts)
Due to the success of three webinar series over the past couple of years and further interest and demand, the Geographical Association (GA) approached me to see if I would be keen to lead another six online sessions via Zoom. The ‘In the Know’ series is designed to help primary school teachers with their background knowledge of geographical themes and topics that …
Come and join us to find out about the power of everyday geographies! (Primary Humanities Network meeting – Term 5)
Just a handful of the ‘concluding comments’ from those who attended our previous Primary Humanities Network meeting in ‘real time’ or accessed the recording and accompanying resources to review at later date: Gosh, it’s amazing how you manage to fit so much information and help for teachers in such a short space of time! Thank you, very informative. So many …