Priory School Specialist Sports College Geography DepartmentDevelopment Plan Jan 2008 July 2011

General aimsLearning 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 LinksBlue Humanities Improvement Plan Links Italic text denotes actions takenGreen Links to HIAS action points Sept 2007Development plan to be shared with staff during next Department meeting. Also to be placed onto Intranet in line with school policy.KEY ISSUESSPECIFIC TARGETSTARGET DATEACTION TO BE TAKEN/ BY WHOMMONITORED BY

1. Raising StandardsKey Stage 31.1. Update all Schemes of Work in line with new National Curriculum. (1.2) (3.3) (1.16) (1.21) (1.25) (2.32) (3.32)

Feb-July 2008.Staff to trial and evaluate (including student voice) new units (All) DRg to trial new Environment unit from Feb 2008 to develop exemplar material and to provide opps. for staff to observe practice. MCa to trial Sport unit with Year 8 from Mar 2008. MBa trailing thinking skills activities.DRg dept meeting

Easter 2008.

Write and finalise KS3 curriculum map. This will include how progression will be made 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.CL Hums

By July 2008.Write and resource entire Year 7 to include a lesson level SoW with differentiation, 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)DRg / CL Hums

By July 2009Review current Year 8. Write and resources new Year 8. (DRg and all staff responsible for individual units)DRg / CL Hums

By July 2010Review and rewrite Year 9 curriculum. (DRg with all staff)DRg / CL Hums

OngoingInvestigate links with local business and community for community involvement. Liaise with EBP through KRi (DRg) BBC School Report, EBP, JDb

OngoingMonitor progress to ensure the consistent delivery of new SoW. Formal and informal 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 2010DRg

OngoingBetter data collection and analysis using the school Level Update Class Yearly Statements (LUCYS) and Hybrid Data System (HDS) and Hums KS4 tracker, to allow pupil tracking and intervention. INSET needed. (DRg, all)CL Hums

ASAP, after Easter 2008Audit existing KS3 SoW and ensure consistent delivery while new KS3 is being introduced (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 moderatedDRg

1.2. Improve transition between KS2 and 3.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 2010MBa

1.3. Develop Humanities curriculum projects and establish links with other subjects in preparation for New KS3 Curriculum.OngoingWork with CLs 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 CLs of core subjects with a view to developing common assessments.(CL Hums)

Key Stage 41.4. Raise attainment in public examinations to school average. Specifically address gender bias and SEN in pupil attainment. (3.2) (1.22) (1.25) (2.21) (3.2)

July 2008 and ongoing

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.

From Easter 2008Easter 2010Common coursework task with current Year 10. Shared assessment criteria, fieldwork for 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 teamDRg to coord

From Easter 2008Develop 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.

OngoingUse current Year 10 examination results and Hums KS4 tracker to identify 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 dataCL Hums

Ongoing

Change the Year 10 and 11 examinations to reflect challenge actual GCSE papers. Make use of Edexcels exam wizard available http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gcse/geography/gcse/1312/ (DRg. INSET for MBa)

OngoingUse past papers throughout KS4 in order to develop exam skills. (GCSE teaching staff) (1.17) Past papers now embedded across the department

OngoingBetter data collection and analysis using the school Level Update Class Yearly Statements (LUCYS) and Hybrid Data System (HDS), to enhance pupil tracking and intervention. INSET needed. (DRg, all) Now standardised assessmentsCL Hums

OngoingData 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.DRg and CL Hums

OngoingRevise 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)

1.5. Review current GCSE Specification and select a more appropriate specification following KS4 review. (1.2)Specifications available from Sept 2008Review 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

By July 2009Feb 2010Revise and resource SoW for Year 10 (2009-2010) Done Theme 1 Rivers and CoastsRewrite Theme 2 Population and SettlementDRg

General developments across both Key Stages1.6. Ensure that department is consistent in the application of existing school policies. Especially with relation to marking, assessment, homework, target setting, literacy and SoW production.OngoingDRg to receive INSET from CL Hums and monitor team as per school policy. INSET via 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 available on the intranet(link to 4.4 below).(All)

OngoingBy Dec 2010Set 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 assessments (1.1)Ongoing. Yr 7 in place by July 2008Phase out existing summative, exam style assessments in KS 3. To be replaced with a range of levelled assessments. Include pupil speak assessment criteria to allow progress to Level 6+ (All)

1.8. OngoingUnits 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.

1.9. OngoingObservation of DRg during AfL lessons. INSET during subject meeting on use a range of AfL techniques.(All) Established

1.10. Sept 2008Ensure 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

1.11. OngoingIntroduce peer and self assessment in Geography. (All) (1.11)

1.12. After Easter 2008Introduce assessment portfolios into Year 7 to collect assessment evidence. Use assessments to conduct moderation in levelling pupil work. (MBa to lead with all staff to contribute)DRg

1.8. Make Geography a key subject in delivering the Global Dimension at Priory School.OngoingMap 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

Ensure that all subject staff are aware of the global dimension possible HIAS Inset opportunity / Twilight session (All)

Use schools 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 subject in delivering Every Child Matters at Priory School.OngoingLink 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 MPs 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.OngoingUse 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.

2. ICT and resources2.1. To become the leading 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.

OngoingEnsure that new SoW along with core homeworks are available on the school Intranet (MBa)

By Easter 2008Evaluation of current stock led by Curriculum Leader (All). CL bid for development fund to 2007-08 enable replacement and modernisation of resources as required

OngoingTo 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

OngoingInvestigate 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 2008Development 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 2008Investigate the possibility of webcam and weather station to provide primary data collection and possible G+T projects (JDb)

2.2. Secure the learning resources required to successfully deliver the new National Curriculum, with special attention to ICT provision.

Ongoing

3. Fieldwork3.1. Develop programme for learning outside of the classroom across all Year groups (2.2) (1.23) (2.31)In place from Sept 2008Identify opportunities for Year 7 field work. Introduce Sparsholt trip into Year 7 Environment Unit (All)

OngoingIdentify 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

OngoingLiaise with Clare Hillman (Learning Outside of the classroom coordinator) to explore opportunities for learning outside of the classroom. (DRG)

In place by May 2008Introduce a data collection fieldwork day for Year 10 to tie in with coursework. (GCSE subject staff) Opportunities discussed during dept meeting 11th Feb. Dates identified. MBa to organise.DRg

OngoingIdentify and investigate feasibility of residential fieldwork in Year 10 to support physical geography aspects and personal development through outdoor activities. (GCSE Subject Staff)

4. Developing Teachers4.1. Ensuring that Non-specialists are supported.

All actions ongoing and phased in for Sept 2008.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)

4.2. Establish a culture of sharing good practice.

OngoingEstablish a peer observation within the department. (All) DRg and MBa have identified possible opportunities. DRg to notify dept of opportunities.

OngoingUpload staff resources onto the school intranet. (All)

OngoingIdentify, 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 able to implement changesOngoingCL 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)

Summer term 2008.Whole day off-site Inset in the summer term for the department to work on KS3 curriculum. (DRg to book.)

4.4. Update and revise department Handbook OngoingTo 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. Classroom Environment5.1. Create a classroom atmosphere that encourages geographical questioning and supports learningBy Easter 2008

Banned Words to be displayed and used in all geography teaching rooms.(All)

OngoingInvestigate feasibility of improving rewards within the department/ humanities faculty. (All including CL Hums)

By Easter 2008Establish the use of an Image of the week in geography classrooms to stimulate interest and a sense of wonder. (All)

By Easter 2008Display 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.