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Education Committee
The functions of the Education Committee (EC) include: - The guidance of Council on priorities for the educational work of the Association.
- The establishment and discontinuance, encouragement and oversight of section committees and working groups and parties, to ensure that all aspects of, and types of institution for, geographical education are involved in the Association's activities.
- The taking of action on matters brought to its attention by Officers, Council, standing committees and its own sub-committees, the transmitting of briefs, reports and recommendations to these bodies, and the initiating of action on educational and professional issues.
- The preparation of an annual budget for its own activities and those of its subcommittees for submission to the Finance and Executive Standing Committee (F&ESC)
- The monitoring of income and expenditure in connection with its activities, and the reporting of its financial position to F&ESC.
EC meets three times a year, usually in January, May and September.
Sub-committees of the EC are:
- Early Years and Primary Phase Committee
- Secondary Phase Committee
- Post 16 and HE Phase Committee.
For further information or to raise issues of concern, contact the Chair, John Hopkin.
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| About the Education Committee |
The GA’s new Education Committee, an impressive powerhouse of members representing all sectors of GA membership, met for the first time on 24 September 2005. The Education Committee’s job is to formulate the GA’s educational policy and take appropriate action to put the policy into practice.
The challenge is to do so without wasting precious time on unnecessary meetings or bureaucracy. The Education Committee will meet formally three times during the current academic year, with John Hopkin in the chair.
The GA’s Phase Committees and Working Groups, each of whom is represented on the Education Committee, 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.
If you are interested in getting involved with GA committee work, contact Frances Soar.
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| Notes of Education Committee Meeting - May 2006 |
GA Member David Gardner, the QCA's Geography Subject Officer, was a guest at the meeting, and spoke about the QCA reorganisation and its proposals for geography. A lively discussion followed!
Another key topic at the meeting was GA membership. The GA is of course keen that all schools and individuals who share the GA's aims join the Association. Talks are under way with the RGS-IBG with a view to offering schools a combined membership.
More news after the Education Committee's next meeting on 7 October.
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| Notes of Education Committee Meeting - 21 January 2006 |
Key discussion points at this meeting included the KS3 and A-level reviews currently being undertaken by the QCA. The QCA is working with teachers, including representatives from the GA, on both reviews.
The Committee also heard the latest news on the Government’s Action Plan for Geography.
Reports on GA activities included details of self-evaluation resources being published on the GA website and in Teaching Geography, and updates on progress with the GA’s new Primary and Secondary Geography Quality Marks.
The Education Committee next meets on 13 May, when the key topic will be the GA Annual Conference and there will also be discussion of the GA’s other membership services, including journals and publications.
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| Notes of Education Committee Meeting - Saturday 24 September 2005 |
New GA President Sue Lomas addressed the September meeting of the Education Committee, with an upbeat message about the power of geography and the need for GA members to support teachers of geography who might otherwise feel isolated.
The main topic for discussion was the 2005 GCSE and A Level results, which revealed a further, troubling, fall in numbers taking geography. There was evidence, mainly anecdotal, that geography examination syllabuses hinder teachers in some ways, and of the ‘squeeze’ from new subjects. The Education Committee will collect published research on student choices at GCSE and A-level for future reference.
There was also plenty to feel optimistic about from project developments and the expanding ‘Geography Development Fund’. The Education Committee supported progress towards a DfES supported ‘Action Plan for Geography’ which may materialise in 2006.
The Education Committee agreed to begin a programme of contact with the QCA and examination boards with a view to influencing examination syllabuses and the KS3 Review (all for first teaching in 2008).
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