Geography
How relevant will our knowledge of and appreciation of geographical study be to ensure that humanity will still be pondering the “Blue Dot” in 2000 years?
Leeds, Bradford, Hull and East Yorkshire Code
Course Information
All secondary trainees receive 2 hours of subject training per week, led by a highly experienced subject leader, who has a strong track-record of outstanding results in schools in the GORSE Academies Trust. Within our Geography subject knowledge sessions, we very much focus on the development and enhancement of subject knowledge, examination rubric and teaching & learning. We focus on identifying areas of subject knowledge that trainees
have identified as being areas for development. Using the context and content of the National Curriculum and Key Stage 4 specifications as starting points, we ensure that knowledge and traditional subject disciplines are being sufficiently embedded so that they can be effectively imparted onto students, who can in turn apply this knowledge and understanding successfully. Developing our disciplinary literacy pervades our curriculum and
is referenced throughout our subject knowledge sessions.
There is a recognition that many trainees will go on to secure placements or employment in post-16 settings and therefore readying trainees for the demands of Key Stage 5 teaching is also reflected within our course. It is also important to us that trainees leave every session with tangible activities that can then be implemented within their lesson planning. Geography is a dynamic subject and so keeping well informed about current affairs and global events is also a common theme running throughout our sessions.
Meet the Geography Subject Lead
Mike Cornfoot
In an ever-changing geo-political world, one which is underpinned by the climate change emergency, the study of geography has arguably never been as important as it is today. Our vision is to ensure that children understand how they fit into the world and how they can contribute positively, as global citizens, to make the world a better place.
Understanding the multi-faceted nature of our subject is important to recognise, as we develop and enhance a young person’s geographical knowledge, understanding and skills. Viewing Geography through the interconnected lens of social, economic, environmental and political geographies and how they influence, or are influenced by, our physical, human and environmental world is fundamental to the development of powerful geographical knowledge. Enhancing pupils’ understanding of scale and how space and place is interdependent is also an essential geographical skill, as is the notion of sustainable development: ensuring we leave the world in a better place for future generations.
Respecting our subject’s core disciplinary principles and subject traditions is sacrosanct. The development of map skills, fieldwork, people, place, space and time are the cornerstones of our curriculum and pervade our subject knowledge sessions. Moreover, recognising and understanding the cultural landscape and how different groups of people are affected by the geography of the 21st century remains pivotal. Developing, embedding and enhancing our disciplinary literacy transcends our curriculum; trainees must understand they have a responsibility to enhance pupils’ understanding and utilisation of specialist subject terminology.
As geographers, so many of us gain inspiration from the iconic Sir David Attenborough, whose passion for our planet transcends generations. Referencing and utilising many of Sir David’s awe-inspiring documentaries remains a very legitimate teaching and learning tool. More recently, however, the works of Simon Reeve and Tim Marshall’s books on the Power, Prisoners and Futures of Geographies are contemporaneously influential.
As the subject lead, my promise to all geography trainees is to deliver high quality, highly personalised and research driven weekly sessions, which will both enhance trainees’ subject knowledge, whilst equipping them with the pedagogical tools to bring our subject to life in the classroom. Underpinned by research and twenty years of teaching experience, not only will our sessions align to the CCF and central training, but they will go above and beyond the requirements of the CCF by ensuring that all trainees are equipped with the pre-requisite knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to teach Geography to the highest of standards, and in turn inspiring our next generation of geographers to continue to study our subject into A-Level, as undergraduates and beyond.
