How to plan, prepare and apply for the award
The registration deadline is 31 December each year
Click here if you are re-registering for the SGQM
Before you apply for the award...
- Take a look at the Timeline to see what you can be doing and when - this will help you plan the SGQM process.
- Read the Assessment Checklist which will help you to carry out your department Self-Evaluation. This will also enable an action plan to be produced, which may stand alone, or preferably complement your actions for the subject in your school improvement plan. This will be submitted as part of your SGQM evidence
- Discuss with colleagues and your senior leadership team the implications of applying for the SGQM. You could use the Headteacher Letter. Gather what support you can, both in terms of finance and planning time, to help you through what is a sustained, collaborative reflective process.
- Check on your school's membership status - your school must be a member of the GA when you register for the award. You can join online or by calling GA HQ on 0114 296 0088.
- If you don't already have a copy, we recommend that you purchase the Secondary Geography Handbook, the essential guide to teaching geography in secondary schools.
- Join the Geographical Association Ning - a free networking website for teachers. Then join the SGQM group and contribute to discussions.
- Think about attending one of the GA's CPD courses for secondary teachers.
- Ask your head if you can pay for a GA consultant to advise you prior to registration. The fee for a half day consultation is £225 plus travel expenses (full day £425 plus travel expenses). Contact Julie Beattie for a list of available consultants with whom you can personally arrange a visit.
Download the following documents to find out more about the award.
Use this form as part of your self evaluation process.
Some of your SGQM questions answered.
Use this letter to initiate a conversation with your headteacher about the benefits of the award to your department.
Your guide through the SGQM process from start to finish.
The completed registration form should be returned with the appropriate payment to Julie Beattie at the Geographical Association (full address and payment details are on registration form).
SGQM Guidance
Schools who register for the SGQM gain access to a range of support materials on a password protected VLE, with example materials from schools, in addition to email and telephone support.
Schools who only wish to register their interest at this stage will have access to the VLE for a limited period of time.
Below are three examples of completed Statement Tables (part of the required evidence to be submitted for the SGQM), of which more are available on the VLE.
Example Statement - Section 2
(20k)
note: this file requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have this you can get it free from the Adobe website.
Example Statement - Section 4
(46k)
note: this file requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have this you can get it free from the Adobe website.
Example Statement - Section 6
(50k)
note: this file requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have this you can get it free from the Adobe website.
Re-registering for the SGQM?
The SGQM award lasts for three years. For those schools who are returning to re-register and re-submit evidence for continued SGQM status please refer to the table below which outlines the deadlines for evidence submissions.
You can re-register at any time but we do advise that you follow the re-submission deadlines outlined below in order to maintain continual SGQM status.
| First awarded | Register | To resubmit evidence by | Second award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring or Autumn 2010 | 31 December 2012 | June 2013 | Autumn 2013 |
| Autumn 2011 | 31 December 2013 | June 2014 | Autumn 2014 |
To meet some of the administration/moderation costs it is necessary to make a charge for all schools re-applying at 75% of the usual rates linked to NOR.*
| Small schools: | < 750 pupils | £200 |
| Medium schools: | 750 - 1200 pupils | £280 |
| Large schools: | > 1200 pupils | £350 |
When you are ready to re-register please complete and return the registration form with the appropriate payment to Julie Beattie at the GA (address details are on the form). After re-registration you will be given access to our SGQM VLE where you will find further information and documentation to lead you through the process.
Please note that current GA membership is a condition when applying for the SGQM.
Comment on this page
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2 Comments
steve ward
Guest
10:46 - 12/10/11
i am very disappointed with the high charge to obtain the quality mark. in the current financial climate i can not ask the school for £350 just to register. the quality mark should be based on the quality of our provision NOT on our ability to pay!!
Richard Gill
GA Staff
11:47 - 12/10/11
The GA understands and is sympathetic to the strains on school budgets in the current climate. However the SGQM accreditation programme does cost the GA money to operate (in terms of its management, administration, provision of online support, professional moderation etc) and in the absence of any external funding our financial model has to ensure we cover our costs. I can reassure you that as a registered charity, the GA does not aim to profit financially from the operation of the SGQM. It is also worth noting that once a school has paid their registration fee there are no further financial charges even though the accreditation process typically extends over a full academic year. We believe that to get everything the SGQM framework offers, including helping your school to identify CPD needs for a whole department, a fee of £350 represents excellent value for money.
Richard Gill, GA Business Manager
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