Geographical Association

Mr Paul Baker
4 Park Street
Charlbury
Oxon
OX7 3PS

Telephone (home): 01608 811238
Telephone (work): 07891 521849
Email: pabsbaker@yahoo.com

Why not join the new ISWG group on the Geographical Association Ning? You must become a member of the Ning before you can join the group, but signing up is free and only takes a few seconds.

The Independent Schools Working Group represents the interests of geography teachers in public and preparatory schools within the GA and aims to increase the membership of Independent School geographers to the GA.

We have a distinct membership drawn from geography teachers in public and preparatory schools. In addition to representing their interests within the GA, we organise in-service training opportunities and produce an annual newsletter Notes and Queries to members of ISWG.

Each summer we hold an annual conference, which includes workshops, forums, lectures and a publishers' display. We also organise a range of other conferences, which are listed on the Events page.

You may be interested in the GA Oxford Branch which has close links with the ISWG. Find out more about this Branch and their activities on the GA Oxford Branch page.

Annual Oxford Geography Conference for all Schools run by the ISWG and the Oxford Branch of the GA
Tuesday 23 February 2010, starts 10:00am
St Edward's School, Oxford.
The Conference will be titled 'A Different View- Geography teaching and learning for the future'. This Conference is open to all those teaching 11 to 18 year olds and will focus on GIS, Fieldwork and Geographical Learning. There will be workshops by Alan Parkinson (on Everyday Geographies), Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop (on Google Earth) and Diana Freeman (on Aegis) as well as other workshops on future fieldwork. The opening lecture will be given by Nigel Winser, Executive Vice President and Head of Programmes, Earthwatch. There will also be a publishers exhibition and a good lunch. For more details contact Paul Baker.

Free Fieldwork Training Day
Friday 5 March 2010, 10:00am - 3:45pm
The Moser Library, Shrewsbury School

The GA Independent Schools Working Group is holding a free fieldwork training day open to both the state and independent sectors. The day will consist of a series of short visits and talks as well a workshop session on 'Tackling the Controlled Assessment' given by Dr. Helen Gadsby, Geography PGCE Course Leader at Liverpool Hope University.

The visits will include a walking tour looking at the River Severn and flooding in Shrewsbury given by Dr. Tim Foulger, Head of Geography at Shrewsbury School and a nationally renowned hydrologist. The day will also include a tour of Bayston Hill quarry in Shrewsbury, by the quarry manger, Mr. Huw Evans. A local farmer, Mr. Robert Kynaston, will also talk about his farm close to Shrewsbury, where he links the environment and farming. With all three sessions, there will be the opportunity to discuss how fieldwork can be done in all three locations.

The day is free and includes refreshments on arrival, two-course hot lunch and afternoon tea. As a part of the day will be spent outside, suitable clothing and footwear for the weather conditions should be worn.

If you would like to attend, please contact Rob Morris by Monday 1 March 2010.

Paul Baker, GA Membership Promotions Officer and Chairman of ISWG, is forming Cluster Groups of GA members in England and Wales to discuss teaching issues and resources. The Cluster Groups will be hosted by Independent Senior Schools for teachers of other Independent and Maintained Schools in the area to attend. The purpose of these events is to promote good geography in schools. For future meeting dates see the Cluster Groups page.

From September 2009

Paul Baker (Chairman 2009-2013)
Dr Garrett Nagle (St Edwards School and Conference Officer)
Rob Morris (Shrewsbury School)
Peter Price (Charterhouse School)
Nicola Patrick (Bloxham School)
David Palmer (Stoneygate Prep School)
Nik Miller (Brambletye and IAPS Geography Co-ordinator)
Dr Andrew Lee (Colet Court and SATIPS)
Misa Newsome (GA Oxford Branch and Rye St Anthony School)
Adopted members for specialist advice
Neil Simmonds (GA Trustee)
Professor Simon Catling (GA Primary Committee)

(Updated 13.01.10)