The Primary Geography Quality Mark (PGQM)
Round 7 awardees have now been announced. View the 2010 Awards page.
Round 8 schools must submit their evidence by the end of May 2010. Please log onto the PGQM VLE for further guidance, audit documents and application forms.
Apply for Round 9 of the Primary Geography Quality Mark by 31 October 2010.
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, 126k) 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 (1.6M) for you to use in school. Click the image to move on to the next slide or use the navigation controls below.
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How the PGQM can support you to enhance the quality of Geography in your school (3.3M) is another PowerPoint Presentation which outlines some of the ways in which the PGQM can help to improve the quality of geography in primary schools.
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. Download 'Your journey towards the Primary Geography Quality Mark' to find out more about the typical timescales.
NB - registration will close when the full quota of schools for the period is filled
| Register by: | Submit evidence by: | Moderation during: | Notified of award by: |
|---|---|---|---|
| End of October | End of May | June-December | February |
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:
- the characteristics of geography in your school
- how well pupils enjoy & achieve
- the quality of provision, subject leadership and management
These criteria are drawn directly from the Ofsted self-evaluation form (SEF).
It is viewed by the DCSF and the Geographical Association as a key strategy for raising the quality of geographical education within the Action Plan for Geography
It is comparable to awards such as Arts Mark, Healthy Schools, Eco-Schools and the ICT Mark
What assessment is made?
The majority of Bronze and Silver awards will be achieved on the basis of the submitted application.This will be moderated by a GA appointed moderator without the need for a visit to the school.
The Gold award will be achieved by the submission of the application and a half-day moderation visit by a GA nominated moderator. Schools on the silver/gold borderline may also request a visit if they have ambitions to be awarded gold.
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.
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 - £175
- Medium schools 250-400 pupils - £225
- Large schools >400 pupils - £275
Quality Assurance Moderation visits will take place during the term following submission of evidence. If your school requires or is chosen for a Quality Assurance Moderation visit you will be notified by your allocated moderator.
The school must be a member of the Geographical Association.
The award was developed and piloted with support from the Frederick Soddy Trust and is part-funded by the DCSF until March 2011.
A map of 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 your department 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.
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 Wendy North at GA Headquarters.
View schools that received the award in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
(Updated 08.04.10)
