Latest News
'From the Field' resources receive award
The Society's 'From the Field' resources, in collaboration with The Goldsmiths' Company, received a silver publisher's award from the Geographical Association at their Annual Conference in April 2012. 30.04.12
More time devolted to geography
The Independent writes that 13% more time is being devoted to geography in the classroom, mainly due to the inclusion of geography in the English Baccalaureate. 27.04.12
Walk the World School resources launched
Walk the World is the opportunity for your school to discover its local connections with the 206 Olympic and Paralympic nations that will compete at the London 2012 Games. Whether your school is a primary or secondary, located in the city centre or the countryside, Walk the World is an easy and ideal way to take part in, and contribute to, the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. 09.02.12
Excellence Awards
The Society is delighted to recognise the excellent achievement of students from schools across England, Northern Ireland and Wales in their GCSE and A Level examinations in 2011. The Excellence Awards for achievement at GCSE or A Level are awarded at the start of each year to those students who had achieved the highest grades across the country. 18.01.12
Review of National Curriculum
On 20 January 2011, the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP, announced a major review of the National Curriculum in England, including the phase one ‘call for evidence’ (deadline 14 April 2011), seeking views on which subjects and content should be in the school curriculum. The Society has submitted its views (PDF). We believe passionately that geography is vital as a compulsory National Curriculum subject at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 (ages five to 14); and ideally also at Key Stage 4 (ages 14 to 16). More information. 09.01.12
Young Geographer of the Year competition and Rex Walford Award 2011
The awards were presented by Society President, Michael Palin, in a special ceremony at the Society's headquarters in Kensington, London on Friday 18 November 2011. This year's competition asked the question 'What should every good geographer understand?', allowing students to look at the way in which geography surrounds us all – from events taking place in the news or changes in their local area, to the world map on a classroom wall – and how it helps to better understand the connections between the world's people, places and environments and the interactions taking place between them. Read more about the winners (PDF). 22.11.11
Closure of www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk
From the end of November 2011 all your favourite materials that are currently on Geography Teaching Today (GTT) will be relocated onto the websites of the GA and RGS-IBG. Everything you have previously used will still be available and free to access. However, you may wish to check any bookmarks you previously had to specific pages or resources on GTT and upload the new shortcuts. With the funding for the Action Plan for Geography having come to an end in April 2011 we are relocating these materials to ensure that they continue to be available for you to use in the future. 04.11.11
Geography is retained for the EBacc
DfE has announced that the existing choice of subjects in the EBac remains the same - Geography (or history) continues to be included as the humanities choice. In addition, schools can only include up to two non-GCSEs (such as vocational qualifications) within their five good GCSE figures. 22.07.11
The NASUWT Survey: EBacc
A recent NASUWT survey has revealed that 26% of schools had planned to increase provision in geography as a result of the Baccalaureate. 15.07.11
DfE advice of health and Safety for schools
The departmental advice on health and safety summarises the existing health and safety law relevant to schools and explains how it affects local authorities, governing bodies, headteachers and other school staff. It covers activities that take place on or off school premises, including school trips. 07.07.11
Young Geographer of the Year competition 2011
Without geography we would be lost and this year's Young Geographer of the Year gives you the chance to answer the question, What should every good geographer understand? Closing date 7 October 2011. The winners and three highly commended entries in each category will be invited to an awards ceremony held at the Society 18 November 2011. 01.07.11
The Rex Walford Award for PGCE students and NQTs
The Society is also delighted to announce a new element of the competition - The Rex Walford Award for PGCE students and newly qualified geography teachers. Reflecting Rex Walford's passion for training new geography teachers, this award will be given to a PGCE student or NQT who creates the best set of teaching resources, scheme of work or lesson plans linked to this year's Young Geographer competition. The winner will receive a Society Fellowship for one year plus a cash prize of £150 and their materials will be hosted on the Society's website. 01.07.11