School awarded for its approach to geography (From Swindon Advertiser)

School awarded for its approach to geography

8:00am Saturday 22nd September 2012 in News By Emma Dunn

PUPILS at Commonweal School are celebrating after being told they have some of the best geography lessons in the country.

The secondary school, in Old Town , is one of only 45 schools to have received the Secondary Geography Quality Mark (SGQM) this month.

The award recognises outstanding teaching in geography and the school had to undergo a rigorous moderation process to get it.

Andrea Preston, head of geography at the school, said: “The award shows the school teaches geography in a good way and the department thinks about the way they do it. We first got the award in 2009 but we have to reapply every three years.

“We are really pleased. It means we teach in an innovative way and engage the students.

“We use different techniques.”

The team of assessors were impressed by the manner in which the school braced new opportunities afforded by the curriculum changes at Key Stage 3.

The SGQM, now in its fifth year, reflects the national standard for the teaching of quality geography.

It aims to promote effective subject leadership and management to help raise the standards of geography teaching in schools.

David Lambert, chief executive of the Geographical Associ-ation, said: “In the early years of the 21st century, there is no more relevant subject in the curriculum than geography, helping young people to understand the world and their place in it.

“The Secondary Geography Quality Mark provides a ‘must have’ form of professional recognition for geography teams in secondary schools nationally.

“It is a professional development tool which supports ‘living geography’ in schools and at the same time helps to prepare the self evaluation form for Ofsted.”

This is the second award the school has won this month. Last week, the Adver reported the school had won the Artsmark Gold award for the third consecutive time in nine years.

Artsmark, a national award managed by Arts Council England, recognises schools which give opportunities to children and young people in dance, drama, music, art, and design.