Geographical Association

The Geographical Association's Education Committee (EC) oversees the educational work of GA volunteers, covering all phases from Foundation through to Post-16 and Initial Teacher Training, as well as its international work and activities in areas such as Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Learning Outside the Classroom (LOtC).

The Education Committee's functions include:

• Formulating the educational policy of the GA and ensuring that provision is made for all aspects of geographical education
• Guiding the GA Governing Body on priorities for the educational work of the GA
• Overseeing, setting priorities for, and co-ordinating the actions of its sub-groups (Phase Committees, Special Interest Groups, Communication Boards, Working Parties)
• Taking action on education and professional matters identified by EC itself or its sub-groups, the GA Governing Body or other GA Officers

EC meets formally three times a year, usually in January, May and September, with Alan Kinder in the chair from September 2009.

Education Committee members are all elected or appointed from the GA membership, and comprise a Chair, a Vice Chair, GA President, GA Senior Vice President, GA Junior Vice President, and the chairs of EC’s sub-groups (Phase Committees, Special Interest Groups and Communication Boards). Current EC sub-groups are:

Phase Committees

Early Years and Primary Phase Committee
Secondary Phase Committee
Post-16 & HE Phase Committee

Working Groups

Assessment and Examinations Special Interest Group
Education for Sustainable Development Special Interest Group
Learning Outside the Classroom Special Interest Group
Independent Schools Special Interest Group
Information and Communications Technology Special Interest Group
International Special Interest Group
Teacher Education Special Interest Group
Physical Geography Special Interest Group
Citizenship Special Interest Group

Communication Boards

Conference Board
Website Board
Publications Board
Geography Editorial Board
Teaching Geography Editorial Board
Primary Geographer Editorial Board
GA Magazine Editorial Board

Phase Committees, Special Interest Groups and Working Parties meet separately, usually once a term, to concentrate on their special areas of interest. Outcomes can include new publications, special CPD events, responses to Government Consultations, representation to other organisations and the initiation of action on educational and professional issues.

Communication Boards meet at least once a year.

If you are interested in getting involved with GA committee work, please contact Frances Soar.

For further information or to raise issues of concern, contact Alan Kinder.

The GA's strategic development plan (2009-14) was a major focus of discussion at the meeting. Following an exercise to identify the most effective ways in which GA volunteers can support members, the chairs of each EC sub-group were invited to share their plans for 2009-10. The aim was to make the work of GA committees as coherent as possible and to identify priorities for the coming year.

Substantial discussion also took place in relation to the 2010 Annual Conference. The committee also considered the development of the new look GA website and plans for forthcoming journals and publications.