Priory School Specialist Sports College Geography Department Development Plan Jan 2008 – July 2011
General aims Learning and undertaking activities in geography contribute to achievement of the curriculum aims for all young people to become: • • •
successful learners who enjoy learning, make progress and achieve confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
The study of geography stimulates an interest in and a sense of wonder about places. It helps young people make sense of a complex and dynamically changing world. It explains where places are, how places and landscapes are formed, how people and their environment interact, and how a diverse range of economies, societies and environments are interconnected. It builds on pupils' own experiences to investigate places at all scales, from the personal to the global. Geographical enquiry encourages questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people's lives, now and in the future. Fieldwork is an essential element of this. Pupils learn to think spatially and use maps, visual images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to obtain, present and analyse information. Geography inspires pupils to become global citizens by exploring their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people, to the environment and to the sustainability of the planet.
What does Geography at Priory aim to do? •
To stimulate a sense of wonder about places
•
To help you to make sense of the complex and sometimes crazy world around you
•
To inspire and show you how you can change your world
•
To help you to explore your geography
•
To give you the skills to make it in the future – whatever your choices are
Red – School Improvement Plan Links
Blue – Humanities Improvement Plan Links
Italic text denotes actions taken
Green – Links to HIAS action points Sept 2007 Development plan to be shared with staff during next Department meeting. Also to be placed onto Intranet in line with school policy.
1. Raising Standards
SPECIFIC TARGETS Key Stage 3
KEY ISSUES
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM
1.1. Update all Schemes of Feb-July 2008. Work in line with new National Curriculum. (1.2) (3.3) (1.16) (1.21) (1.25) (2.32) (3.32)
MONITORED BY
Staff to trial and evaluate (including student voice) new units (All) DRg to trial new DRg – dept Environment unit from Feb 2008 to develop exemplar material and to provide opps. for meeting staff to observe practice. MCa to trial Sport unit with Year 8 from Mar 2008. MBa trailing thinking skills activities.
Easter 2008.
Write and finalise KS3 curriculum map. This will include how progression will be made CL Hums throughout KS3 especially in the acquisition of skills. (DRg to lead with input from all) Suggestions for units shared at Subject Meeting 21st Jan. Staff to feedback ideas. Ideas for curriculum mapping include the ‘target’ model available from the GA.
By July 2008.
Write and resource entire Year 7 to include a lesson level SoW with differentiation, DRg / CL Hums challenge and homework opportunities highlighted. (Core homeworks to be consistent across the team and posted on the internet in line with school policy.) Also to including common assessments. Teaching units to use a range of imaginative teaching and learning methods. Review Year 9 Hazards Unit. Implement new unit for Sept 2008. (All staff) (DRg to lead with staff to assist with writing and resourcing)
By July 2009
Review current Year 8. Write and resources new Year 8. (DRg and all staff responsible for DRg / CL Hums individual units)
By July 2010
Review and rewrite Year 9 curriculum. (DRg with all staff)
Ongoing
Investigate links with local business and community for community involvement. Liaise JDb with EBP through KRi (DRg) BBC School Report, EBP,
Ongoing
Monitor progress to ensure the consistent delivery of new SoW. Formal and informal DRg monitoring strategies (DRg). Establish a system of peer observation whereby all team members see each other to share good practice. (All) Provide a space to share successes and risks taken. Continue to embed and evaluate in July 2010
DRg / CL Hums
KEY ISSUES
SPECIFIC TARGETS
1.2. Improve transition
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM Ongoing
Better data collection and analysis using the school Level Update Class Yearly Statements CL Hums (LUCYS) and Hybrid Data System (HDS) and Hums KS4 tracker, to allow pupil tracking and intervention. INSET needed. (DRg, all)
ASAP, after Easter 2008
Audit existing KS3 SoW and ensure consistent delivery while new KS3 is being introduced DRg (All) DRg to trial a short population unit with Year 8 leading to creation of resources and common assessment task. This can then be internally moderated
July 2008.
Contact feeder primary schools to investigate future joint projects and to establish the skills and knowledge base already attained through geography and allied projects teaching in KS2 (DRg) Joint project in place supported with RG grant money for summer term 2010
Ongoing
Work with CL’s in History and RE on possible South Africa project. Consider further development of the Language and History visit to the north of France and the war graves. Approach CL’s of core subjects with a view to developing common assessments. (CL Hums)
between KS2 and 3.
1.3. Develop Humanities curriculum projects and establish links with other subjects in preparation for New KS3 Curriculum. Key Stage 4
MONITORED BY
1.4. Raise attainment in
July 2008 and public examinations to ongoing school average. Specifically address gender bias and SEN in From Easter pupil attainment. (3.2) 2008 (1.22) (1.25) (2.21) (3.2) Easter 2010
From Easter 2008
MBa
Revision / CW workshops from Jan 2008 for current Year 11. To focus especially on case studies. Extra workshops to be offered during Easter and May half term holidays. (GCSE subject teachers) Coursework workshops run by DRg and MBa Jan 2008. Morning workshops and flexible workshops provided in 2009. Clashes with core subjects and issue. Common coursework task with current Year 10. Shared assessment criteria, fieldwork for DRg to coord primary data collection for all current Year 10. Action HIAS recommendations on the support given to coursework candidates. (GCSE teaching staff) Common task set and completed in 2008 and 2009. Controlled assessment linked to OCR B now important. Mock CA needed to train pupils in independent high level. CPD needed for all team Develop a systematic approach for Coursework KS 4 including a timetable. (DRg and MBa) Discussed subject meeting Feb 11th. MBa made a number of key suggestions including contact with parents via a letter and the structure of the fieldwork day.
KEY ISSUES
SPECIFIC TARGETS
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM Ongoing
Use current Year 10 examination results and Hums KS4 tracker to identify CL Hums underperforming pupils. Run workshops to improve performance. (CL Hums to support in data analysis) Share and involve pupils with their target grades. Use Geography target sheets based on Hums template.Trackers are informing CL interventions, although new Whole School data systems are providing better data
Ongoing
Change the Year 10 and 11 examinations to reflect challenge actual GCSE papers. Make use of Edexcel’s exam wizard available http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gcse/geography/gcse/1312/ (DRg. INSET for MBa)
Ongoing
Use past papers throughout KS4 in order to develop exam skills. (GCSE teaching staff) (1.17) Past papers now embedded across the department
Ongoing
Better data collection and analysis using the school Level Update Class Yearly Statements CL Hums (LUCYS) and Hybrid Data System (HDS), to enhance pupil tracking and intervention. INSET needed. (DRg, all) Now standardised assessments
Ongoing
Data used to identify G+T and SEN pupils. These pupils to be tracked and intervention put in place early in Year 10. (All) To include early contact with parents (stock of standard letters to be produced (MBa)) Inset needed for all staff. To link with school policies on interventions.
Ongoing
Revise existing KS4 SoW to identify opportunities for common assessments and the strengthen case study links. Provide links to assist pupils on department blog and intranet. (GCSE subject staff)
Specifications Specification and select available from Sept 2008 a more appropriate specification following By July 2009 KS4 review. (1.2)
1.5. Review current GCSE
General
Feb 2010
1.6. Ensure that department Ongoing is consistent in the application of existing
MONITORED BY
DRg and CL Hums
Review new GCSE specifications and select most suitable for Priory students. (GCSE subject staff) DRg has used links with the GA to investigate early drafts of specifications. OCR B Specification chosen partly in response to Student Voice Revise and resource SoW for Year 10 (2009-2010) Done Theme 1 Rivers and Coasts Rewrite Theme 2 Population and Settlement DRg to receive INSET from CL Hums and monitor team as per school policy. INSET v ia subject meetings. (All) Redraft and update department handbook to include subject specific guidance in the application of school policies. A version of this to be made
DRg
SPECIFIC TARGETS
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM
school policies. Especially with relation to marking, assessment, Ongoing homework, target setting, literacy and By Dec 2010 SoW production.
MONITORED BY
available on the intranet(link to 4.4 below).(All) Set up a programme of self evaluation that follows the schools existing STEP procedure and uses Hums faculty SEF format and tools. Work towards GS/RGS(IBG) SGQM. (CL Hums) Process informing team targets and teaching.
1.7. Replace KS 3 summative Ongoing. Yr 7 in Phase out existing summative, exam style assessments in KS 3. To be replaced with a assessments (1.1)
1.8. Make Geography a key subject in delivering the Global Dimension at Priory School.
place by July 2008
range of levelled assessments. Include pupil speak assessment criteria to allow progress to Level 6+ (All)
Ongoing
Units to be trailed in order to create exemplar materials and to allow discussion at Dept meetings. (DRg and MCi) Suitable classes at a range of abilities identified by half term. Trials to begin after Feb half term.
Ongoing
Observation of DRg during AfL lessons. INSET during subject meeting on use a range of AfL techniques.(All) Established
Sept 2008
Ensure that Assessment criteria to be shared with pupils for all assessments. Share criteria with parents via VLE (All) Assessments rewritten and available on staff intranet and teacher blogs – awaiting decision on format for VLE
Ongoing
Introduce peer and self assessment in Geography. (All) (1.11)
After Easter 2008
Introduce assessment portfolios into Year 7 to collect assessment evidence. Use DRg assessments to conduct moderation in levelling pupil work. (MBa to lead with all staff to contribute)
Ongoing
developments across both Key Stages
KEY ISSUES
Map new SoW to the 8 key concepts of the global dimension. Ensure that each new SoW has an opportunity to develop these. (All) For example Human Rights could be introduced into the Sport unit – child labour, Interdependence, Sustainability and Diversity are key concepts in new 2008 curriculum. Further links here between other Hums subjects, especially Cit.(HWa) Strong Literacy, Cit, His and Sci links identified
KEY ISSUES
SPECIFIC TARGETS
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM Ensure that all subject staff are aware of the global dimension – possible HIAS Inset opportunity / Twilight session (All)
Use school’s existing links to provide a global dimension South Africa, Germany, France and Holland. Investigate possible uses. For example South Africa Blog project set up by CL ay pervious school could be a model. 1.9. Make Geography a key Ongoing subject in delivering Every Child Matters at Priory School.
Link new SoW into ECM as they are written. Provide Inset to increase awareness of ECM with staff. Possible links could include:
•
Be healthy – sustainable living, food miles.
•
Be safe – involvement in risk assessment for on and off site fieldtrips.
•
Enjoy and achieve –increase results at both Key Stages. Increased use of pupil voice.
•
Make a positive contribution – opportunities for pupils to contribute to school policies involving the environment. Also to contact local MP’s and organise petitions.
•
Achieve economic well being – introduce enterprise activities, for example working to a budget when
Liaise with HIAS Geography inspector for further ideas and support, 1.10. Develop the use of pupil voice in order to develop SoW.
Ongoing
Use surveymonkey.com and pupil interviews to gather pupil voice to inform topic decisions. Form a student panel for geography of pupils who input into SoW. Feed information into SEF and use Hums pupil questionnaires (DRg, All) online questionnaire trialled with a Year 7 group Feb 2008.
MONITORED BY
KEY ISSUES
SPECIFIC TARGETS
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM
2. ICT and resources
2.1. To become the leading Ongoing subject in the use of ICT. (2.2) (1.24) (2.12) (2.24)
Ongoing
Develop use of VLE and Weblogs to support courses at KS 3 and 4. Set up email contact available to pupils (DRg to trial and provide Inset to department staff. Initially use for KS4 support) Weblogs will support the VLE input as they can be updated daily by subject staff and therefore respond to pupil needs more quickly. Ensure that new SoW along with core homeworks are available on the school Intranet (MBa)
By Easter 2008 Evaluation of current stock led by Curriculum Leader (All). CL bid for development fund to 2007-08 enable replacement and modernisation of resources as required Ongoing
To enable pupils to choose whether to share and present their work through the use of ICT. (DRg to demonstrate use and share outcomes with subject staff) Unequal access to eLearning opportunities causing an issue here
Ongoing
Investigate a range of GIS packages and options to ensure compliance with 2008 KS3 orders and allow use for KS4 coursework projects. Include the use of Google Earth, Infomapper and Local Studies. Ensure that ICT use in embedded within all SoW(DRg)
By Easter 2008 Development fund bid for laptops and projector for all geography teaching rooms. Portable projector for non-specialists. (DRg) Team providing with netbooks in 2009 from department capitation By Easter 2008 Investigate the possibility of webcam and weather station to provide primary data collection and possible G+T projects (JDb) 2.2. Secure the learning Ongoing resources required to successfully deliver the new National Curriculum, with special attention to ICT provision. 3. Fieldwork
3.1. Develop programme for In place from learning outside of the Sept 2008
Identify opportunities for Year 7 field work. Introduce Sparsholt trip into Year 7 Environment Unit (All)
MONITORED BY
KEY ISSUES
SPECIFIC TARGETS
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM
classroom across all Year groups (2.2) (1.23) (2.31)
Ongoing
Identify school site opportunities for fieldwork during KS3. Trial FW opportunities on site. (All) DRg and MCi using school grounds during Year 7 Weather and Climate unit
Ongoing
Liaise with Clare Hillman (Learning Outside of the classroom coordinator) to explore opportunities for learning outside of the classroom. (DRG)
MONITORED BY
In place by May Introduce a data collection fieldwork day for Year 10 to tie in with coursework. (GCSE DRg th 2008 subject staff) Opportunities discussed during dept meeting 11 Feb. Dates identified. MBa to organise.
4. Developing Teachers
4.1. Ensuring that Nonspecialists are supported.
4.2. Establish a culture of sharing good practice.
All actions ongoing and phased in for Sept 2008.
Ongoing
Identify and investigate feasibility of residential fieldwork in Year 10 to support physical geography aspects and personal development through outdoor activities. (GCSE Subject Staff) INSET on new Year 7 curriculum. Invite non specialists to department away day. (DRg and subject specialists) Team teaching and observation of specialist staff by non-specialists (All) Investigate new textbook resources to support non-specialists (DRg) Geog.1 identified as a possible resource to us. Also Folens new series. Both use a range of teaching and learning. All SoW and resources to be placed on the intranet. (SMc) New KS3 SoW to provide a lesson by lesson guide and include differentiation and homework guidance. (All) Investigate moving the Geography subject meeting to allow all teachers of Geography to attend. (DRg)
Ongoing
Establish a peer observation within the department. (All) DRg and MBa have identified possible opportunities. DRg to notify dept of opportunities.
Ongoing
Upload staff resources onto the school intranet. (All)
KEY ISSUES
SPECIFIC TARGETS
Ongoing
Identify, bid for and attend relevant CPD opportunities. To include visits to other schools (especially local Hums specialist college) (All)
4.3. Ensure that staff are Ongoing able to implement changes
CL to attend CPD on data use and intervention (DRg, CL Hums), HIAS AST support to help evaluate new SoW, Staff to identify training needs and bid for CPD, including visits to other schools (All)
4.4. Update and revise department Handbook
5. Classroom Environment
TARGET DATE ACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOM
Summer term 2008.
Whole day off-site Inset in the summer term for the department to work on KS3 curriculum. (DRg to book.)
Ongoing
To include subject specific guidance in the application of school policies. A version of this to be made available on the intranet. (Link to 1.6 above) Guidance for non-specialist teachers of Geography. (DRg and MBa)
5.1. Create a classroom By Easter 2008 ‘Banned Words’ to be displayed and used in all geography teaching rooms.(All) atmosphere that encourages geographical questioning and supports learning Ongoing Investigate feasibility of improving rewards within the department/ humanities faculty. (All including CL Hums) By Easter 2008 Establish the use of an ‘Image of the week’ in geography classrooms to stimulate interest and a sense of wonder. (All) By Easter 2008 Display the aims of Geography at Priory in all teaching rooms and on a corridor display (DRg to create and pass onto staff) Aims written in pupil speak during KS3 Conference 13 Feb. To be shared with staff at next dept meeting.
MONITORED BY