Leading geography

Key stage 3

The quality of young people's experience of learning in geography in key stage 3 has a big impact on whether they will decide to continue studying the subject and on their levels of achievement in the future. Promoting the contribution of geography to these pupils' learning and lives, and leading developments in the quality of teaching and learning, are therefore crucial aspects of subject leadership in this key stage. Research into successful departments has shown the importance of making an immediate attempt to establish what is different and special about the subject. The subject leader or head of department has a number of responsibilities.

			Bright idea
		If you have any bright ideas on leading a secondary geography department, submit them for possible inclusion.

		More developed ideas Devising a departmental website An example of how one school developed its own departmental website [Richard Davies, Brentwood County High School, Essex] PDF 24Kb | RTF 4822Kb | Help Scheme of work frontsheets An example of how one school has designed its scheme of work documentation [Richard Davies, Brentwood County High School, Essex] PDF 205Kb | RTF 170Kb | Help

Other information

The Geographical Association website provides ideas about, and case studies of, innovative leadership in geography education as part of the Association’s Lead departments project. The 'Teaching geography online' section of the site also provides downloadable copies of a PowerPoint presentation Why do geography?, a checklist for GCSE uptake and a year 9 options questionnaire.

Information about the Bradford Awards for departmental innovation in secondary schools is available on the Geographical Association website and the The Royal Geographical Society with the Institute of British Geographers website.