How do I apply?
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
Can I have access to your VLE before registering?
How long does the process take?
How do I know I'm ready to submit my application?
Can an overseas school apply for the award?
Can an independent school apply for the award?
If I decide I'm not ready to submit can I defer my application?
How many schools have achieved the award?
How much evidence will I need to prepare?
What type of evidence do I need to include?
Can I submit evidence from previous academic years?
Can I submit my application electronically or online?
Do I need to keep a copy of my application?
Do you visit schools?
What if my application is going to be late?
What happens after I have submitted?
What if we apply for SGQM but after moderation we do not achieve the level desired?
How long does the award last for?
What advice and support is available to me?
Complete a registration form and return it to us. You can find the registration form and more guidance on the applying for the award page.
How much does it cost and how do I pay?
The cost is worked out by your NOR, you can find full details on the SGQM front page. You can pay by including a cheque for the appropriate amount when you return your registration form or request an invoice which we will send to your school office. Payment is expected at the point of registration.
Can I have access to your VLE before registering?
If your school has current GA membership you can request access to the VLE on a temporary basis. After registration this will be made permanent. Your school must have current GA membership to achieve the SGQM award.
How long does the process take?
You can register at any point in the year but you must submit your application by one of the two stated deadlines, May or December. There are no hard and fast rules to timescales, however in many cases it takes schools two terms to put together an action plan and collate evidence. Schools have taken between six and eighteen months to submit their evidence after initial registration. The SGQM front page shows the submission deadlines.
How do I know I'm ready to submit my application?
If you fulfil all the relevant criteria and are comfortable about your evidence base then you are ready. Find guidance for this by looking at the Checklist document on the SGQM front page.
Can an overseas school apply for the award?
As the application and evidence submission is paper based and is posted to us for moderation any school can achieve the award.
Can an independent school apply for the award?
Yes, we welcome applications from independent schools.
If I decide I'm not ready to submit can I defer my application?
Yes, you can defer to the next appropriate cohort without re-registering, but only once. Please note that Quality Mark registration fees are non refundable.
How many schools have achieved the award?
See the 2009, 2010 and 2011 winners pages for a full list of award winners.
How much evidence will I need to prepare?
Examples and evidence should be carefully selected with a maximum of TWO pieces for each of the nine sections of the SGQM. It is permissible to use some evidence more than once if it supports more than one area of the SGQM process, but we do ask that at least three pieces of pupil work is included, together with your KS3 plan/scheme of work. See How to plan, prepare and apply for the award.
What type of evidence do I need to include?
We expect you to include examples of teaching ideas, planning, assessment and evaluation and pupils work (photographic if possible). All evidence should include a statement of context and a brief justification as to why it has been included. Annotating your evidence is one way in which this could be achieved. All evidence should be clearly marked with the appropriate reference (e.g. 2e).
View some examples of completed Statement Table Forms.
Can I submit evidence from previous academic years?
We prefer work that you have done in this academic year however we will accept some evidence from earlier years but no more than 2 years previous.
Can I submit my application electronically or online?
We prefer you to submit a paper based application supported with an electronic copy. You may email your completed Statement Table form (if size allows) to us, any other electronic evidence can be copied onto a CD or USB stick and sent to us to support your paper application. This will allow us to use any exemplary evidence you provide on our VLE.
Do I need to keep a copy of my application?
It's probably worthwhile keeping a copy as you may need this for reference if you decide to apply for a higher level in the future or when renewing in three years time. Your submission is kept by the GA in order to refer to when resubmission is necessary after three years.
Generally not, as the SGQM is a paper based application only. However, if our SGQM Coordinator happens to be in your area he may arrange to drop by.
What if my application is going to be late?
Please contact us immediately when we can arrange a short extension.
What happens after I have submitted?
You will receive email confirmation of the receipt of your application, notification of moderation dates and when award winner's names will be announced. All winners receive a certificate and use of the SGQM logo. Centre of Excellence award winners will be invited to attend the GA Annual Conference to receive their certificates.
What if we apply for SGQM but after moderation we do not achieve the level desired?
Your submission will be awarded according to how you have fulfilled the required criteria. If your submission does not reach the minimum required level you will given feedback and encouraged to re-submit, at no additional cost, for the next Cohort.
How long does the award last for?
Three years. You will be notified when you need to re register and submit again for SGQM status.
What advice and support is available to me?
Professional advice is available from GA Programme Manager John Lyon and from a network of Centre of Excelllence school geography teachers. For all enquiries please contact Julie Beattie (SGQM Administrator) who will, if necessary, forward your enquiries to a suitable teacher.
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