The Hopkin Review of School Geography 1991-2023

A new research report has been published today by the Geographical Association. Thanks to Steve Brace for sending me a copy.

It has been written and compiled by Dr. John Hopkin, who was President of the GA in 2010. There were also contributions made by Dr. Paula Owens.

Thanks also to Iain Freeland and members of the GA Assessment and Examinations Special Interest Group for reviewing the report.

It analyses evidence from Ofsted reports and other sources to explore standards in the geography curriculum, teaching, achievement and leadership. 

The report identifies changes in standards over time, including:

• periods when school geography was flourishing and standards were improving, as well as other times when the subject was under widespread pressure in particular key stages
• notable strengths in managing the curriculum, high-quality teaching and positive achievement in many schools across key stages 1 to 4. Between 2000 and 2025 alone, over 6 million students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales sat a GCSE geography exam
• a number of weaknesses, some enduring through the period, including the systematic study of contemporary places, the development and use of geographical skills to investigate the world, and opportunities to engage with fieldwork, ICT and, in secondary schools, GIS.

I shall have a read when I get the chance and post some thoughts as an update here.

A change of Chief Executive

This blog has traced the history of the GA's Governance, including the change to a structure which included a Chief Executive.

A recent important change was announced.

Alan Kinder is stepping down as Chief Executive after 11 years in the role. 

Alan’s last working day at the GA will be Thursday 21 December 2023. Best wishes of course to Alan for his new role, and heartfelt thanks for all that he has achieved in that time. This will be an interesting period for the GA. 

In a recent update in the Newsletter we learned:

Alan will be taking up a new, dual role early in 2024, as Chief Executive Officer of the Regional Studies Association and General Manager of RSA Europe.

During his time at the GA, Alan crafted two strategic plans (covering the periods 2014–19 and 2020–2025), led the successful implementation of the 2014–19 plan and ensured the GA further developed under its current strategic plan. 

This work focused on bringing geography teachers together, meeting their professional needs, raising the profile of the Association and advocating for high-quality geographical education. It underpinned a doubling of GA membership between 2012 and 2023 and significant growth in the number of schools and teachers engaged with the GA, particularly through its professional development events and social media activities.

Alan represented the GA and the interests of the geography teaching community on national and international stages throughout his time in post, providing expert advice to (amongst others) the Department for Education, Ofsted and Ofqual. 

Through his advocacy work and the extensive body of professional advice and support material he authored on behalf of the GA and its partner organisations, Alan exerted a considerable influence on the curriculum and professional practice we see in geography education today. His recent work to develop a GA Framework for the school geography curriculum will continue to shape the nature and scope of the geography curriculum in the years ahead.

GA Chief Executive Alan Kinder said:

“As a former teacher of geography, it has been the most enormous honour and privilege to have served as the GA’s Chief Executive for more than eleven years. This is a vibrant community, supporting a vital part of every young person’s education. 

Teachers of geography deserve the assistance of an independent subject association, focused squarely on their needs and interests, and I hope I have been able to play a role in representing and supporting teachers effectively during my time in post. 

As I begin to prepare for the exciting professional challenges that lie ahead for me, I’m confident that the GA will use its current strategy as a strong foundation for further progress in the years ahead.”

The search for Alan's replacement is underway.

In the meantime, the leadership of the Association will be shared amongst a number of people in important SLT roles at Solly Street along with several prominent volunteers (and former GA Presidents).

Professor Alastair Owens, the Chair of Trustees shared the news on the plans for continuity of leadership.

Interim leadership arrangements

I am delighted to announce that Elaine Anderson (Head of Publishing), Alex Forsyth (Finance and Operations Manager), and Becky Kitchen (Head of Professional Development) have agreed to share the responsibilities of the Chief Executive role until a new Chief Executive is in post. 

I am also pleased to share that John Hopkin, current Honorary Treasurer of the GA and a former President, has agreed to provide mentorship and support of the acting Chief Executive team, ensuring that there is co-ordination of their roles and responsibilities.

I am very grateful to Elaine, Alex and Becky for agreeing to provide leadership and continuity at this time of transition. Collectively they bring a wide range of skills, know the Association very well, and are already focused on the leadership and delivery of our strategic priorities. During their period of leadership any communications for the attention of the Chief Executive should be addressed to ChiefExec@geography.org.uk so that it can be allocated to the individual with relevant responsibilities.

I am also grateful to John who will bring great wisdom and longstanding GA experience to his advisory and mentoring role.

Search for a new Chief Executive

The GA’s Board of Trustees has established a search committee to oversee the appointment of a new Chief Executive. Following a selection process, the committee has recently contracted the recruitment agency Peridot to assist in this process. 

An advertisement and ‘job pack’ are currently being prepared and will be shared shortly; we encourage members to further share this with any individuals they think suited to the role. Please feel free to write to me at a.j.owens@qmul.ac.uk if you have suggestions for candidates. We hope to have the new Chief Executive in post by the summer of next year.

I am grateful to the entire GA community – our members, those who run our committees, special interest groups and branches, the dedicated staff who work in Sheffield, the trustees and our partners and collaborators – for their continued support and commitment during this period of transition. As we approach the end of the year, I wish everyone a restful and happy holiday period.

Prof Alastair Owens - Chair of Trustees, The Geographical Association

GA Trustee Changes from 1st September 2023

As I move towards the final month and a bit of my GA Presidential journey, it's pleasing to finally see and be able to mention the changes that will take place from September the 1st this year.

Excited to see Professor Alastair Owens stepping up to be the next Chair of Trustees, replacing Olwen Lintern-Smyth (alongside his Past President role), and Bob Digby being replaced by Dr. John Hopkin, a former GA President in his Honorary Treasurer role.

There are also two people I've worked with previously taking over as elected trustees: Sophie Wilson and Rob Chambers.

Also looking forward to seeing where Denise Freeman's GA Presidency takes her, and the Association. Hina Robinson will also start her term as Vice President.

Thanks to all those members who were involved in voting. 

Keep an eye out for future vacancies - there is still work to do here in terms of broadening the diversity of representation, but this can only happen if members put themselves forward.

New GA KS3 textbook

Great to see the new KS3 textbook published by the GA is now available and I have ordered a class set.

This has an excellent design and content.

This resource introduces students in years 7–9 to key geographical concepts, topics, themes, places and skills from the key stage 3 Programme of Study and beyond. The 18 chapters consider themes in human and natural environments and explore the connections and interactions between them.

Written by practising teachers and geography educators, the book aims to:
enthuse and engage students, making them more globally aware and environmentally minded
help students develop a better understanding and appreciation of the world
introduce key geographical knowledge, build understanding and develop skills that will be needed for GCSE, while keeping key stage 3 (or equivalent) a distinctive phase of education
introduce themes early on and revisit them later in different contexts to consolidate learning
suggest different approaches and ways of thinking in geography.

Each chapter contains:

• an introductory page containing starter activities and an outline of key themes, concepts and topics covered within it
• five or six double-page spreads containing information and case study material to engage students, along with location maps and activities to help students become better geographers
• a review page with activities to consolidate the learning from the chapter.

There's a great author and editing team and all led by Elaine Anderson and colleagues at Solly Street.

Let us know what you think of the book when you order your copy... you will be ordering a copy won#t you :)

2010: Dr John Hopkin

Updated July 2023

John Hopkin has served in many different roles with the GA over the years, and is still working on projects with the GA and offering his skills in the service of the Association.

His main career has been based in Birmingham, where he worked as teacher, then as an  advisory teacher amd advisor. He then worked at the GA as Head of Accreditation, and particularly involved in the work of the Global Learning Programme as well, coordinating the GA's involvement with that project and working to develop CPD in critical thinking.

As an author, he has been involved in the writing and editing of  numerous geography publications for schools, dating back over 30 years, which include some of the GYSL books (pictured), alongside another former GA President John Westaway together with more academic publications including with David Lambert.

He has continued to be associated with the GA in many different ways, and even now he has been working on some new online student materials for the GEO project, coordinating some of the content for that new website. Take a look if you haven't already.

The following information was provided by John himself via the Google Form which I set up for more recent Presidents.

John was born in 1954, in Penarth, Glamorgan, and went to school in Bristol before attending the University of Wales (Swansea), then Birmingham.

He started out as a Teacher before moving to Local Authority Advisor, and then worked on the GA staff (possibly uniquely for a President). He has worked as a textbook author since 1986. When he became GA President he was working as a School Improvement advisor in Birmingham. He sent me several images, including one here taken at Solly Street before the view towards the hills was blocked by student accommodation.

His conference theme was Progress in Geography. This was part of a strategic pushback by the Association (in partnership with David Lambert) in favour of subjects at a time when they seemed under threat. John also wanted to argue for a dynamic subject, particularly in the way we represented the rest of the world. 

See the earlier post on the official opening of Solly Street during John's Presidency.

I asked John why the GA mattered to him:

"I first got involved in a short-lived geography and science working group around 1987-88 in the run-up to the first National Curriculum. I then joined the Assessment and Examinations Working Group (AEWG), eventually becoming chair. John still serves on the AEWG Committee to this day. I then chaired Education Committee before becoming President. 

A fairly well-worn route to the presidency, though I didn't see it at the time."

"I think we had a successful year with close strategic working with the CE. I think presidents following personal enthusiasms for their year is probably a good thing - but there also need to be a fair proportion where the presidential year is also strategic for the association. I guess everyone remembers their lecture - I enjoyed preparing for it and giving it, though at the time it was a bit touch and go because the tech people at Guildford couldn't get the presentation to work on their equipment. So top tip - bring your own laptop as well. Also the keynote from Hans Rosling was fantastic - we were lucky to get him (thanks Lucy) and it was extremely well received."

It was a pleasure indeed to meet Hans and see that during my time working for the GA

Image copyright:Bryan Ledgard and the GA (from Flickr account)

The most recent GA project that John has been involved with is our new 11-14 textbook with teacher materials. He was one of the editors. The textbook is excellent.

References

Presidential Address, 2011

Hopkin, John. “Progress in Geography.” Geography, vol. 96, no. 3, 2011, pp. 116–123. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/41320394. Accessed 8 May 2021.

https://www.geography.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/Teacher%20education/GA_ITE_TTIS_Readingaboutwhatisaneducatedperson.pdf

Report on the Global Learning Project - written by John

Download as a PDF on this link:

 https://www.geography.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/Projects/GA_Global_Learning_Report_2018.pdf

Hopkin, J. and Owens, P. (2016) ‘Critical thinking in geography’ Primary Geography, 91, 3 p. 23 https://www.geography.org.uk/Journal-Issue/e0bf0aca-54c6-4081-9603-9a5ded38a2ac

Critical Thinking project website

http://www.geography.org.uk/critical-thinking

Practice Guide: this is a very valuable document and well worth downloading.

https://www.geography.org.uk/write/MediaUploads/Projects/Critical_thinking_in_practice.pdf

Hopkin, John. “Sampling the World.” Teaching Geography, vol. 36, no. 3, 2011, pp. 96–97. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23755596. Accessed 4 May 2021.Copy

Update July 2023

John was recently announced as the GA's new Honorary Treasurer. He will take over from Bob Digby, who held the role for six years following the retirement of Brian Ellis from the role. Thanks to John for stepping in to this important role in the governance of the association. 

John will start his role in September 2023.

2010: Solly Street - official opening

The GA has been based at Solly Street since 1997, when it moved into the premises and had an official opening by Wendy Morgan (GA President of the time)

In 2010, it purchased Solly Street, as this made financial sense compared with continuing to rent.

I was working for the GA during this time, and as staff we were all invited to the official opening on the 5th of November, where we were joined by many former GA Presidents.

By now, regular readers of the blog should be able to identify most of these people.

We were visited by David Blunkett, MP, Clive Betts MP and Meg Munn, MP, along with Alan Law, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield. Rita Gardner: the Director of the Royal Geographical Society was also in attendance.
The office space was cleared as people arrived from mid afternoon and had coffee and biscuits and took the chance to catch up with friends and colleagues. There was a formal presentation and speeches, followed by canapes and wine.

Plenty of names familiar from the spines of books in my office, or in piles in cupboards when I was teaching.

As always Bryan Ledgard took the official images of the opening. I managed to avoid being on any it seems. I was lurking by the door.

Image copyright: Bryan Ledgard / Geographical Association

1998: GeoVisions

The GeoVisions Committee of the GA was active from the 1998 through to around the year 2000. It was looking at what a geography for the 21st Century would need to be. Now that we are a fifth of the way through it, have we managed it...

It involved a committee of various people who have been related to the GA for many decades and included people I have worked with on projects myself, particularly Di Swift, who chaired the project, and Chris Durbin. Linda Thompson is also mentioned, who was Chair of the Secondary Committee when I joined it, but then moved on to another role. Diane also led the Young People's Geographies project, of which more to come later. 

The strapline of the project was:

‘Create the future … don’t just let it happen’ 

The full list can be seen below:

Coordinated by Roger Carter a former GA President who is next up on the blog. It was also referenced by Keith Grimwade in his Presidential lecture.

Mentioned by him in his Presidential lecture:

It is hard to look into the future with any certainty. I have been working with the Geo Visions Project (Carter et al., 1998) ' in order to help to raise the debate about the future of geography. I would like to close with what the Geo Visions Team believe a geography for the twenty-first century will need: 

 • A renewed emphasis on the professionalism of teachers We need fewer voices telling us what to do and how to do it. Equally, we must reassert our own professional responsibility.

 • A focus on children and young people Let us focus less on what is to be done to them and more on their hopes and fears for the future. It is their world too: we should listen to them more.  

• An all-inclusive debate about future needs Education is far too important to be left in the hands of a few, be they educators, politicians or chief inspectors. We must keep the debate open. 

 • Attention to alternative and preferred futures Education for the twenty-first century should engender a real feeling by everyone that they matter in society and that they can make a difference individually or collectively. 

 • Commitment to the capabilities for a better world. The knowledge and skills needed to compete industrially are not necessarily the same as those needed to build equitable, sustainable communities. We need a broader vision, and a better balance between skills and knowledge on the one hand, and values and commitment on the other. 

 • A critique of geography as a subject to promote a better world

Any memories of engagement with this project welcome.

A booklet was produced in assocation with TIDE Global (PDF download)

A report as well.

This includes a quote from Roger Crofts, of SAGT, who is someone I've met several times, most recently at an FSC 75th Anniversary event where he spoke about his life in geography:

“It is essential that geography is not just seen as social geography or cultural geography or biogeography or geomorphology, but that there is some interlinking between these different elements if the subject is to retain its relevance.” 

Professor Roger Crofts, COBRIG Seminar 1998

To find out more about more recent GA projects, head for this relatively new archive page on the GA website which details what the project work of the GA has involved. I am proud to have been involved in quite a few of these projects over the years, including the most recent GEO project, for which I am currently writing some materials.

GeoVisions also led into the OCR Pilot GCSE Geography, of which more to come...

References

Carter, Roger, et al. “The Geo Visions Project.” Teaching Geography, vol. 23, no. 4, 1998, pp. 201–202. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23755721. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

Robinson, Roger, et al. “Wiser People — Better World?” Teaching Geography, vol. 24, no. 1, 1999, pp. 10–13. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/23755686. Accessed 22 Jan. 2021.

If anyone has memories of participation in this project, or knows of the outcomes, please let me know. It looks to have huge relevance today.