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The Power of Geography
The White Paper 14-19 Education and Skills is now available online on the DfES site.
The headlines are dominated by the intention to keep both GCSE and A-level - but to reduce the assessment burden, to have a hard look at coursework and to introduce a new 3 level 'vocational' Diploma alongside the more academic examinations. There is much being made about increasing 'the stretch' of both GCSE and A-level for higher attaining students. There is also a strong, renewed commitment to mathematics, English and science and 'functional skills'.
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It will take some time to absorb the detail and to consider some of the implications for geography and geography teaching.
The White Paper mentions geography directly in the context of key stage 3 (search for 'improving the geography curriculum' in the document). The curriculum at key stage 3 is to be reviewed, and perceived weaknesses in geography assessed in the context of curriculum overlap, coherence and making time for more 'stretch' (for the well supported and gifted) and 'catch up' (for the less motivated and supported learners).
Following a special GA seminar on Saturday 26 February, we will publish a number of 'papers' responding to this White Paper on these pages.
Have your say via the Power of Geography Forum. We want to ensure that the GA's response has taken on board what you and your colleagues think.
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| What is the Power of Geography? |
These Power of Geography webpages form the core of our response and related activities. We are not defensive. The power of geography is surely great enough to ensure the survival of the subject at school and beyond and its recognition as 'the most relevant subject' on the school curriculum.
But we will get nowhere just by asserting this to ourselves. These pages are dedicated to helping us refine good arguments, communicate convincing examples and identify the really important issues that the geographial education community can and must face.
We want to rediscover (if we ever lost it) the fantastic educational value of geography. Then we need to communicate this to headteachers, policy makers, curriculum managers ... and so on.
Get involved - Download material from the Articles page and join the online Power of Geography debate. Feel free to contribute material for inclusion here by e-mailing your articles, opinions or links to Anne Greaves.
David Lambert
February 2005 |
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