Geography Ambassadors programme
“The ambassador pitched his talk at just the right level. He was a natural speaker and brilliant ambassador. His enthusiasm for geography was tenable. His presentation was excellent and he managed to keep a class gob-smacked on a Friday afternoon and I witnessed ‘lights go on’ in students faces!” Teacher, London, 2007.
This was typical of the feedback received from the first year of the Geography Ambassador Scheme. In 2008 the Ambassador Project continues to provide enthusiastic geography ambassadors to secondary schools and sixth form colleges across the South East, the North East, Greater London, the South West, the Oxford area and the North West.
What is the aim of the geography ambassador scheme?
The scheme recruits, trains and supports geographers currently at university and graduate geographers from the work place to act as ambassadors for geography in the classroom. This is a great way to introduce younger students to the benefits of studying geography and encouraging them to pursue the subject beyond the compulsory stages. The ambassadors act as positive role models for pupils and can illustrate, with enthusiasm, both the specific and transferable skills they have developed as a geographer. The scheme offers schools the opportunity to strengthen links with local HE and businesses. Download video clips of ambassadors from the menu on the right.
What will ambassadors offer?
Ambassadors will begin by delivering a presentation with activities to groups on a mutually agreed theme such as ‘Why study geography?’, ‘Geography and careers’ or ‘My special project or research interest’. Subsequently ambassadors could return to the school to support geography clubs or fieldwork activities.
I am interested in becoming an ambassador. How do I find out more?
Please email us or ring us on +44 (0)207 591 3050 for an information pack on everything you need to know including dates and venue details for training sessions.
How do I get my school involved?
When would you like an ambassador to visit? Ambassadors are ready to come into schools now and new groups are being trained throughout the year. Why not link a visit to a key intervention point such as option choices in year 9, or your Year 12 and 13 HE awareness programme?
Download the school booking form from the link on the right, and email to ambassadors@rgs.org to book a visit.
We have ambassadors from a wide range of backgrounds in terms of education and qualification pathways, experience, gender, ethnic origin and career aspiration. The scheme will meet the costs incurred by the ambassadors so that there will be no financial cost to the school. Schools will not be expected to complete any additional paperwork or planning except for the brief application form to apply for ambassadors and an evaluation form after the visit. The ambassador project manager, Kate Amis, is part of the Action Plan for Geography team at the RGS-IBG. Contact Kate on 0207 591 3045 or email using the link on the right. We look forward to hearing from you.