News Stories

 

 

 

The Secondary Geography Quality Mark

 

Harris Academy Rainham Geography Department are pleased to announce they have been awarded The Geographical Association’s Secondary Geography Quality Mark (SGQM): in recognition of excellence in teaching and learning in geography

 

The SGQM is a prestigious award which recognises quality and progress in geography leadership, curriculum development and learning and teaching in schools. All the award winners undergo a rigorous moderation process, and the team of assessors were hugely impressed by the manner in which all are continuing to embrace new and innovative approaches to teaching geography. The SGQM recognises student attainment, progress and achievement in geographical knowledge, understanding, values and skills, and sets expectations about the quality of teaching in geography. It promotes effective subject leadership and management, helping subject leaders raise the standards of geography in their schools.

 

In 2017, Only 27 schools were awarded the SGQM and as current holders within the federation we hope to encourage and support more geography departments to achieve this award.

 

Rebecca Kitchen, Secondary Curriculum Leader at the GA, says:

‘It is vital for young people today to experience an engaging, relevant and quality geography curriculum which helps them to make sense of an increasingly interconnected world and to negotiate their place within it.  Yet, in a time of curriculum change and performance indicators it is sometimes easy to lose sight of this.  The SGQM enables schools to focus critically on what they are doing and why, in order to provide their young people with the knowledge and understanding they need to live in the modern world.’

 

Alan Kinder, GA Chief Executive:

‘There has never been a more important time for all children and young people to study geography. Growing up in the 21st century means living in an increasingly interconnected world, one facing a growing number of global challenges such as climate change and the need to live our lives sustainably. Geography not only fascinates and inspires young people, it provides them with the knowledge and understanding they need to live in the modern world. Geography is, as we say in the GA’s Manifesto, ‘fundamental to everyone’ and I am delighted that a growing number of primary schools are teaching their students to fully engage with the subject.’

 

 

 

Richard Maurice, Federation Geography Consultant and Lead Practitioner

 

“I am thrilled that Harris Academy Rainham has achieved the GA’s prestigious Secondary Geography Quality Mark. As an award this goes some way in recognising all the hard work that the geography department have invested into ensuring their students receive the highest quality geography education. With geography being a hugely important subject at school, this award means that students are gaining access to knowledge that will improve their lives by developing their ability to think geographically so that they can better understand our wonderfully complex planet, and also through enhancing their prospects following their time at secondary school. Well done Harris Academy Rainham!”