Monday, 16 December 2024

Place available on RGS Education Committee

There is availability to join me on the Royal Geographical Society's Education Committee, which I joined in June as Vice President Education.


We have an important job to do - particularly at the moment with a focus on the Government's Curriculum and Assessment review.

The process is explained on the link below if you'd like to put yourself forward.

You will need to fill in a few forms online and get them to the Director's office by the 20th of March 2025. Selected names will then be added to a ballot paper which will go out to all those eligible to vote. The results will be announced at the RGS's AGM in early June 2025. I shall be there. 

You will fill the role for a four year term.

Only Fellows of the Society may stand for positions on Council and only Fellows may propose candidates for election (this includes Associate Fellows).

If you wish to stand for election to Council, you should be able to demonstrate:
  • a good working knowledge of the Society
  • an understanding and support for its breadth of activities and audiences
  • experience and seniority relevant to the position that you are standing for

Each position also requires a sound working knowledge, as appropriate, of geographical education, expeditions and fieldwork, research and higher education, geography in professional practice. In addition, Council has provided guidance to nominees and proposers on the skills, expertise and experience that it feels would be most helpful at the present time. It is not a requirement that nominees fill identified skills gaps but it is highly desirable.

For Education this is described as:

Practical expertise, skills and knowledge as an established geography teacher (with five or more years of classroom experience), head of geography or senior leader at secondary level (Councillor).   

In terms of time commitment, Council members must be available to read papers for, and attend, four Council meetings per year and at least two Committee meetings per year.

Go to this page for all the details.

Feel free to get in touch if you would like to know more details about what is involved in this role, and good luck if you are thinking of applying.

Sunday, 1 December 2024

International Geography Training - new for 2025

A new venture, and one I can certainly get behind...

Two legends of international geography teaching, resource creation and training in the same virtual space: Richard Allaway and Matt Podbury have teamed up to offer some special support for teachers in international schools / teaching international qualifications.

Their new website and opportunity is now live.

They will start their new enterprise by offering three online workshops between now and May 2025, which can be booked individually or as an ‘all three bundle’.

Each workshop consists of two 90-minute sessions and then the opportunity to have a 30-minute one-on-one meeting with either Richard or Matt to focus on your specific topics of interest and questions.

The workshops will happen on Saturdays, so most of you will not need to find cover for your classes. They will run from 10h00 CET to 13h30 CET, so you have enough time for a lie-in and a lazy breakfast, and everything is finished in time for a late lunch.

The workshops focus on the training needs of international geography teachers, especially those teaching IB DP Geography and IGCSE Geography.