Sunday, 20 April 2025

Free spiralised fieldwork resources from the GA

There is always a need for fieldwork resources and ideas.

The GA and FSC have teamed up to produce some and share them freely.


The GA fieldwork survey told us that:
  • teachers want new ideas for carrying out fieldwork within their school grounds and local area
  • they want to embed these ideas within their current curricula
  • they want resources that non-specialists can pick up and deliver
  • they want resources that will build progression and don’t just repeat the same techniques but in a different context

The sets of spiralised fieldwork resources were created to support teachers by creating a starting point for fieldwork that can be done in the school grounds and local area. They can be embedded in schemes of work, but also can provide suggestions for activities during transition days or simply when the sun is shining and you want to get outside!

There are four sets to get you started; two themes based on water and trees and woodlands and two techniques, Environmental Quality Assessment and questioning techniques. However, we will be adding more over the coming months.

Jon Cannell, GA Primary Curriculum Lead said:

‘The GA and FSC are extremely excited to release a brand-new collection of FREE resources to support the integration and progression of fieldwork through the geography curriculum. Each set of resources provides easy to use activities connected to key themes from across the geography curriculum as well as introducing geographical ways of thinking and understanding.’

GA Conference 2025 - a flying visit

I was only due to be at the GA Conference for one day, which meant an early start for the drive over to Oxford from Norfolk. It's a real cross-country faff. Luckily I'd made some arrangements for parking which was easy enough to reach and close to the main social event of the trip.

I was there for the Long Standing members meal. This is an annual lunch which is paid for by a previous member which allows those who are going along to the conference to meet up with former Presidents of the Association and network.

Here's a picture taken at the restaurant where the meal was held. The food was delicious. There are quite a few former Presidents in the image. How many can you name?


After that, it was a taxi up to Oxford Brookes University: the conference venue.

I didn't plan to attend any sessions other than one... and I arrived too late for that one, but managed to speak to David Lambert who was presenting it.

What I really wanted to do was spend the four hours-ish I had there to catch up with as many people as possible. I managed to catch up with lots of former GA colleagues and the team that helped me when I was President, and current RGS colleagues, Primary legends such as Sharon Witt, Anthony Barlow, Stephen Scoffham and Steve Rawlinson and many more besides. Particularly nice to chat to John Wilkinson and David Balderstone, Andrew Lee and Hermione Miao. 

I also met up with Tom Collins from the Environment Agency who I worked with on a forthcoming project for over a year but had never met in person, and folks from various publishers and lovely to see Cath Rule from Rayburn Tours as well.

There were at least 20 other people I chatted to, you know who you are - they include teachers, publishers and other geographers :)

After that, I got the bus back into the centre, and got off outside Christ Church College, where the GA began in 1893, and then to the Rose and Crown where I had a drink and chat with Phil from Wychwood School, who had kindly provided the parking place for me. Good to catch up and have a drink before the return journey which was going well until I found that the A47 was closed overnight... ideal...

Next year is Sheffield. I look forward to seeing what the venue is along with theme etc.

A few things from the tweets:

Some videos on GIS.


And also a tree carbon calculator.

A reminder of Teal Tool.

And this session looked really good... 

Check out Detroitography.

Reminds me of Rebecca Solnit's three American atlas projects, which I have copies of.

GA Strategy 2025-2030 consultation open

While serving on the GA Governing Body I was involved in lengthy discussions as we developed the 2020-2025 Strategy and the language around supporting educators and developing the work of the Association.

The discussions for the next five year strategy are underway, and there's a chance for you to be involved.

You have until the 16th of May at 4pm to answer the questions.

Here are the questions:


 

Friday, 18 April 2025

Presidential 'shift'

The last few years has seen a significant and overdue shift towards teacher Presidents. I was the first for a while in 2021-22 but since then, we have now seen the beginning of four female state school Presidents in a row...

Friday, 4 April 2025

Elected Trustee roles - deadline 9th May

When I was going through the GA Presidential cycle I served as a Trustee for 4 years. Prior to that I had spent fourteen years serving on the Secondary Phase Committee.

Both of these are options if you want to get more involved in the running of the Association.

The Geographical Association has a chance for you to get involved as a GA Trustee - an elected trustee.

The current Governing Body is here.

The deadline is in early May.

Your views on teaching geography...

Your views are needed by Dr Susan Pike and her fellow researchers. Details below and scan the QR code to find out more.