New OFSTED Subject Report

The long-awaited subject report for Geography has now been published and can be viewed on the OFSTED website.

It's called 'Getting our Bearings'. It applies to England only.

The GA has posted its thoughts on the report on a page on the GA website, from which the report can also be downloaded.

The description of the report below is from the GA website. I have emboldened some key areas.

Ofsted’s finding is based on inspection of the content taught in 50 schools, which was more challenging and representative of the distinctive nature of the subject than seen in earlier reports. The sustained rise in the number of pupils opting for geography GCSE and A level is also welcomed by the report, as is the significant curriculum development work undertaken in recent years by teachers in both the primary and secondary phases.

The report also identifies challenges for geography education. Recruitment of geography teachers is a significant issue, leading to a high prevalence of non-specialist teaching. Ofsted also finds that teachers of geography, specialist or otherwise, receive very little subject-specific professional development. As the GA has proposed on more than one occasion: there is a clear need for a programme of professional development at all key stages, to support the teaching of geography nationally.

The report finds a wide variation in curriculum time between schools, which affects the way the subject is taught and whether ambitious curriculum goals are being realised. Particular concerns are raised about the quality of curriculum planning at GCSE, where exam specification coverage is often prioritised over learning, and the quality of fieldwork provision across all schools, which has not yet recovered from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are also personal responses from Alan Kinder and GA President Denise Freeman, which can both be read on the GA website.

There are also quite a few references to the Geographical Association in the report, including an early mention when defining Geography. There are also references to articles in GA journals, written by members of GA SIGs and committees. Research carried out by numerous GA Presidents is also mentioned in the list of references at the end of the report.