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.
