The Primary Geography Quality Mark (PGQM)
Registration dates
Registration for Round 10 (submit applications by the end of April 2012) is now closed. Round 11 2012-13 is now open for registration, deadline 31 October 2012.
What is the Primary Geography Quality Mark?
The Primary Geography Quality Mark is an award for primary schools who wish to achieve recognition for the quality and progress in geography leadership, curriculum development, learning and teaching in their school.
Our Introduction to the PGQM (PDF, 166k) summarises the award process and answers some of your frequently asked questions.
This slideshow provides an introduction to the PGQM. It is also available as a downloadable PowerPoint Presentation (3.7M) for you to use in school.
What is the timeframe for completing the award?
Your school can start working towards the award at any time however you must register and submit your application by the annual deadlines below.
NB - registration will close when the full quota of schools for the period is reached
| Register by: | Submit evidence by: | Moderation during: | Notified of award by: |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of October | April | May-September | October |
The Primary Geography Quality Mark in brief
It is a school self-evaluation tool founded on the principles of school self-review and development
It can be gained at one of three levels: Bronze, Silver or Gold
It is based on clear and simple criteria:
- What is geography like in your school?
- How effective is subject leadership and management?
These criteria are drawn directly from the Ofsted self-evaluation form (SEF).
It is viewed by the Geographical Association as a key strategy for raising the quality of geographical education.
What assessment is made?
The majority of awards will be achieved on the basis of the submitted application form with accompanying annotated evidence and appendices. Applications are moderated by a GA appointed moderator.
All applications are scrutinised in-house before being passed to the allocated moderator and a rigorous Quality Assurance process ensures that the award is standardised.
Each year the GA undertakes a limited number of Quality Assurance Moderation visits that take place during the term following submission of evidence. If your school is chosen for a Quality Assurance Moderation visit you will be notified in advance by your allocated moderator.
If your Quality Mark application is successful you will receive PGQM certification and a professional feedback report that outlines your areas of strength and suggests how you could further develop geography in your school.
As we only visit a selection of schools, please remember that our judgements are based on the application you make and the evidence you provide. The evidence we receive should tell a clear story about the geography in your school and its impact on pupils.
Your submission will be awarded according to how you have fulfilled the required criteria. If your submission does not reach the applied for level you will given opportunity by your moderator to either accept the level offered by our moderation team or choose to re-submit for the next Round at no extra cost.
If you are not visited by a moderator as part of the PGQM process you will have the opportunity to request an 'enhanced feedback' consultancy visit from a designated moderator (standard GA consultancy fees apply), which would give your school further chance to discuss and develop any suggested action points and ways to improve your geography provision.
Further details of GA consultancy fees and how to arrange your enhanced feedback visit are available upon request from Julie Beattie.
How much does it cost?
In order to meet some of the costs of administering and moderating the award, at the point of registration a fee is payable upon the following scale.
- Small schools <250 pupils - £225
- Medium schools 250-400 pupils - £275
- Large schools >400 pupils - £325
Current Geographical Association membership is essential when applying for the PGQM. Once awarded, schools are also requested to maintain their GA membership for the three-year period that the PGQM is valid.
A map of current PGQM schools
View PGQM schools in a larger map
PGQM in the News
Being awarded the PGQM is an ideal opportunity to raise the profile of geography inside and outside of school. Here are some examples of schools who have been featured in their local press as a result of achieving the PGQM.
Bryn Coch Primary School, Mold, wins geography award - The Flintshire Chronicle
Hawkshead Esthwaite Primary celebrates at the double! - The Westmorland Gazette
We're on the map! Gospel Oak Primary School's geography prize - Camden New Journal
Wybunbury Delves Primary School near Nantwich scoops Primary Geography Quality Mark Award - Crewe Chronicle
Geography award for school - Salisbury Journal
Newminster Middle School - Morpeth Herald
Thornton-le-Dale Primary School - Malton & Pickering Mercury
Gisleham Primary school - The Lowestoft Journal
Register your interest
If you wish to register your interest in the PGQM, fill in your name and email address on the form below and we'll contact you shortly.
If you need further information about the Primary Geography Quality Mark please contact Julie Beattie at GA Headquarters.
View schools that received the award in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
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