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ROB LODGE
In a previous life I was Head of Geog/Hums at Hamond's High School, Swaffham, Norfolk. I mark AQA A-Level Geography investigations and Spec Adv for OCR 'D'. I have contributed to articles in Teaching Geography and Conference workshops and had the privilege of Co-chairing the Committee with Gary Dawson. In my present life as Secondary Strategy Foundation Subjects Consultant, for Norfolk, I work with Geography Departments (and others) on a range of developments, including 'Leading in Learning'. Last February I travelled with nine Geography Teachers to Melbourne, to gain new insights into Thinking Skills and share good practice – after all, Geography is about going places and someone had to do it! So the SPC opened some doors and windows to the wider horizons.
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ALAN PARKINSON
I am Head of Geography at King Edward VII Sports College in Norfolk and have taught Geography and ICT for 20 years, and over the last eight years have developed the GeographyPages website. I regularly present at workshops and seminars at regional and national conferences, and have received two and a bit Innovative Geography Teaching grants from the RGS. I was an early adopter of educational blogging. In my spare time I am a GA Teacher consultant, and have a particular interest in online collaboration and creativity. In 2007 I was honoured to become a Chartered Geographer, and am currently working as a Regional Subject Adviser for the CfBT/QCA/GA/DCSF KS3 project. I am also on the authoring team for the new GA Toolkit series, and 'blast the spam' on the SLN Geography Forum.'
Email Alan
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DAVID ROBERTS
I have been a member of the Secondary Committee for seven years. During this time I have represented the GA at examination boards and QCA. This, along with presentations at conference, has helped considerably with my own professional development. When I began my involvement with the committee I was a Head of Department with limited experience. I am now an assistant head teacher at a Technology College near Manchester where we have particularly focused on Raising Boys' Achievement. The work of the committee is really important in offering support to Geography teachers around the country as well as an opportunity to meet likeminded dedicated professionals.
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GARY DAWSON
I joined SPC in 1995/6. Di Swift, the then Geography Adviser for Staffordshire, nominated me, having seen a geographical twinkle in my eye. Since then, it has been one big professional development journey. We have a saying on SPC, 'join SPC and get promoted' and everyone has. SPC gives the opportunity to make a contribution to Geography at a national level. I commend it to the world !! I am Head of Geography at Fair Oak Business and Enterprise College in Staffordshire, where I am kept busy with the additional responsibilities of History Supervisor and Co-ordinator for Gifted and Talented Students.
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TOM BIEBRACH
I am Head of Geography at Pencoed Comprehensive School in South Wales and am also a PGCE co-tutor at the Swansea School of Education. I am currently involved with a number of research projects promoting geographical learning and teaching, including GCSE Controlled Assessment trials, using GIS in primary-secondary transition and promoting international school links. My department were recently awarded the Secondary Geography Quality Mark and I achieved Chartered Geographer status in 2007. I am also completing an MA in Geographical Education. The SPC has been a fantastic opportunity to learn about and to have an impact on current geographical educational issues throughout England and Wales and would encourage anyone from the geographical education community to get involved. For more information please email me.
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KATHRYN STEPHENSON
I’m currently Head of Geography and Assistant Head of Sixth Form at Stokesley School, in North Yorkshire. I also have responsibility for ESD, which is part of our Personal Development Curriculum. I’ve been teaching for 12 years, in three schools, and previous roles have included Thinking Skills Coordinator. I am very enthusiastic about the development of Thinking Skills and Assessment for Learning and am involved in the QCA KS3 review process. I‘ve been a member of SPC for two years and enjoy the opportunity to both share good practice and have an input into geographical education at a national level!
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FRED MARTIN
My job since 1996 has been that of tutor for the PGCE Geography with ICT course at Bath Spa University. Before that, I taught for 25 years in a variety of state secondary schools. I joined the Secondary Phase Committee in about 1990 as the National Curriculum was being introduced, a fact I have only just noticed! My abiding interest has been writing geographical resources of all kinds, everything from text books to ICT-based resources. The SPC has been invaluable to me as a means of engaging with fellow committed geographers. I hope I have been able to contribute something in return.
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ALAN KINDER
My role for the past 3 years has been that of Advisory Teacher for Geography with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. Prior to that, I taught for 12 years in various schools in London and the South East (of England and Asia!). This included a stint as a field studies officer at a field centre in France. I joined the Secondary Committee in 1998 and have found it invaluable as a source of inspiration and motivation. Since June 2005, I have Co-Chaired the Committee with Sarah Watts.
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SARAH WATTS
I joined the committee five years ago, and became Co-chair in 2005. My day job is that of Secondary Teaching & Learning Consultant for Hampshire. A key feature of SPC is the dissemination of engaging and challenging teaching and learning ideas, I remember well my first ‘Appearance’ at a conference workshop sharing ideas with one of the scariest audiences ever – other teachers! My work with SPC allows me to keep an ear to the ground in terms of current geography thinking and my involvement often gives me advance warning of changes both in the subject and the direction of education policy. I value meeting with other professionals and hearing their take on all things geographical.
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DAVID ROGERS
I qualified as a geography teacher in 2003 and currently teach at Portchester Community School in Hampshire where I'm also responsible for the development of Outdoor Learning. I'm passionate about the outdoors and geography and am a member of Hampshire's Geography Think Tank. I am also about to complete an MA in Geographical Education at the Institute of Education. My main geographical interests include developing geography and ICT resources exploring the role of ICT in Geography fieldwork. In addition I am currently working on developing a geography aspect to an international link.
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EMMA JOHNS
I am Head of Geography at Hitchin Girls' School in Hertfordshire. I have been at the school since July 2005, after completing my PGCE at Bath Spa University College. I teach across the whole 11-18 age range and particularly enjoy teaching GCSE classes. I like teaching an inclusive and all encompassing subject and work hard to ensure that it remains that way in my school. I am on the Fast Track teaching programme and am currently managing a project with a group of students who have been trained as observers in the classroom. They are helping to improve classroom practice and to raise the student voice in the school. Their insight into classroom practice has had a big impact on my teaching of geography.
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RACHEL LAWRENSON
I have been teaching Geography for seven years in two schools, and have recently been appointed as Head of Geography at Salendine Nook High School in Huddersfield. I am very passionate about teaching and learning and aim to lead a department that embraces outstanding Geography and is at the forefront of latest educational changes. I am particularly interested in promoting Geography as an exciting and relevant 21st Century subject, and am an active member of a local Geography cluster group in Calderdale. I see being part of SPC as a fantastic opportunity to share my passion with like minded geographers and contribute at a national level.
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SIMON RENSHAW
I began life as a geography teacher in 2003 and get a huge sense of satisfaction from my job as Head of Geography at Soar Valley College in Leicester. I am constantly looking for new and exciting ways of helping students and teachers develop their geographical understanding. I have a particular interest in ICT, thinking skills and formative assessment. I am a PGCE Co Tutor at Leicester University and am currently helping to create a local network for geography teachers. The KS3 review, Pilot GCSE and Action Plan will all bring many opportunities and challenges for our geography community. I feel very privileged to be working with the SPC at such an interesting time.
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STACEY McCABE
After 11 years of teaching and a move into senior management I decided that my passions lay within teacher-training and CPD so I now run my own business as a Teaching and Learning Consultant (for want of a better title!). I work with a variety of educational establishments; including Dragonfly Training, the Royal Geographical Society and Bath Spa University School of Education, where I currently train PGCE Geographers. I deliver INSET in schools on a range of topics; including Assessment for Learning & Active Engagement Strategies. I am studying for a Masters Degree and my research at present in looking at whether or not the Government are communicating opposing messages on the teaching of Geography at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
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