Quality Mark Twitter Chat

Starting next Monday - between 4pm and 6pm…

That's quality

I had the honour of spending several days earlier in the year on the team moderating the Secondary Geography Quality Mark that is awarded by the Geographical Association to those schools who meet the criteria.

I had been part way through putting together an application for my department when I joined the GA, so I appreciate the time that it takes to put together a good application portfolio of evidence.
This year was up to the same high standard as the previous years, in fact we probably saw the most impressive applications we have ever had. I was particularly impressed with a Minecraft video made by one of the schools from Hong Kong who applied (you don't have to be a UK school to apply for the mark)
It was also good to see that there were some schools that I'd had previous contact with applying for the award, and that plenty of schools were also applying for Centre of Excellence status...

You can see the details of the schools who were successful on the GA website.

Why not send off for further details and register your department.
It could be the start of a new educational journey for you.

I look forward to seeing your application in August 2013

Controlled Assessment Videos by Dave Holmes

2 great videos made by Dave Holmes.
The first is shot in London and provides some simple ideas for ethnographic fieldwork data collection.... "people watching"...



The second is particularly helpful.
It is a short video featuring Nick Blunsum: the Head of Geography at Kingsmead Community School



What's great is that Nick talks about the impact of going through the process of gaining the Geographical Association's Secondary Geography Quality Mark.

He talks about "evaluating what was good and developing areas that needed improvement" and also "giving back some of the control to students to stop the lessons being too teacher led..." - some good advice on controlled assessment too....

Thanks for sharing these Dave, and to @GeogAdviser for the tip off on Twitter....

Quality Geography Conferences

Work included in portfolio for Quality Mark submission...

There are two events planned for March. For more details see the GA WEBSITE.

Booking now available...

Leszek Iwaskow, Ofsted's National Adviser for Geography, will open these conferences with his view on quality geography that challenges and supports student learning. Quality geography aims for both excellence and enjoyment. These conferences provide the opportunity to discuss and develop what we mean by 'quality geography' in both the primary and secondary phases.

Central London - Tuesday 2 March 2010

Sheffield - Tuesday 9 March 2010

About the Conferences

The overarching strength of the Quality Mark is its capacity to act as an effective 'lever of change' for the development of geography in schools and these conferences for KS1, 2 and 3 will explore the nature, effects and impact of the Geography Quality Marks.The conferences will identify elements of quality geography exemplified through work from Quality Mark schools, and will look in detail at how schools can prepare for, work towards and achieve the Quality Marks.You will take away ideas and materials to use in your school, receive a certificate of attendance and if you use the ideas from the conference in your school you will be eligible to receive a Certificate recognising Professional Development. This can help you work towards a TLA stage 1 or Geography Quality Mark.
Aims and outcomes

The outcomes of the conferences include raised understanding of:what quality geography looks like in practicehow Ofsted arrive at an 'Outstanding' judgement when undertaking geography subject inspectionshow to achieve the top Quality Mark awards in your school

Presenters

Leszek Iwaskow - National Adviser for Geography, Ofsted

Wendy North and Paula Owens - GA Primary Curriculum Project Leaders

Justin Woolliscroft - GA Secondary Geography Quality Mark Co-ordinator

Teachers already participating in the Primary and Secondary Geography Quality Mark schemes will also lead workshops and share how they have supported and developed quality geography in their schools.

Programme

09:15-09:45 Coffee and registration

09:45-10:15 Keynote Address
Quality Geography: Challenging and supporting student learning
Leszek Iwaskow, Ofsted's National Adviser for Geography
10:15-10:30 Refreshment break

10:30-12:30 Phase-group workshop

12:30-13:15 Lunch

13:15-15:00 Phase-group workshop

15:00-15:30 Next steps

15:30 Close

Secondary Geography Quality Mark

Have just emerged blinking into the daylight after two days: a total of 15 hours spent moderating almost thirty school submissions for the latest cohort of entries for the GA's Secondary Geography Quality Mark.

There was a tremendous variety of work, plenty of innovation evident, and a host of excellent student projects which show that new geography is very much 'living'...

We are putting together additional guidance for schools who are thinking of undertaking the collection of evidence for the portfolio, and appreciate the many hours necessary to complete this appropriately.

The Secondary Geography Quality Mark is really becoming embedded as a framework for departmental self-evaluation, which is backed up by a focus on quality geography and carefully moderated.

If you would like more information on applying for the Quality Mark, please contact Justin Woolliscroft at sgqm@geography.org.uk

Please note that there is also a PRIMARY GEOGRAPHY QUALITY MARK - for details of this contact Wendy North