Enhancing Geography Education Through the Primary Geography Quality Mark (PGQM)
Discover how the PGQM has positively impacted schools like Elworth CE Primary, focusing on curriculum coherence, student agency, worldview promotion, and monitoring for improvement. The PGQM process drives self-evaluation, boosts teacher confidence, and enhances overall progress and enjoyment in geography education. Schools report raised profiles, improved CPD systems, strengthened curriculum planning, and increased explicit geographical content post-PGQM implementation.
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The Primary Geography Quality Mark (PGQM)
Introducing the PGQM Completing the PGQM has helped to highlight the areas which the school needed to develop further, including how explicit the geography curriculum was in among the topic-based learning. It drove the change in planning structure to ensure that vocabulary and skills were at the heart of planning, rather than activity focused. In turn, this has boosted teacher confidence, supported their subject knowledge and helped increase overall progress and enjoyment of the subject across the school Elworth CE Primary school, 2022
Driving quality learning The PGQM will give you the opportunity to engage in a process of powerful self- evaluation and reflection asking: What is geography like in our school? How do we know? What can we do to improve standards? Y4 pupils from 2023 Gold Hub school, Alwoodley Primary https://twitter.com/AlwoodleyPS
Meeting the standards The submission should include evidence against each of the twenty key indicators that make up the PGQM framework. The table below provides examples of key indicators found within each of the four sections of the framework. Access to the full framework is available on PebblePad upon registration. Section Example key indicator Example evidence A1 (iii) Coherence. There is an ambitious, well planned and coherent geography curriculum, with a clear rationale for all units of work studied, which consistently builds on prior learning.. Progression documents Knowledge Organisers Learning objectives mapped within the curriculum A. What is the quality of geography education like? B (ii) Agency. Pupils are given opportunities to: develop their opinions and responsible voice; independent enquiry and capacity to think critically, while working collaboratively, safely and with agency Examples of range of pupil learning outcomes including, images of debate, role-play, fieldwork, discussion or other forms of active learning. Planned opportunities for enquiry, critical thinking and risk assessment. B. How does geography education shape behaviour, attitudes and values? C (i) Worldview. Geographical knowledge promotes an open- minded, balanced and considerate worldview. Pupil's learning outcomes that explore a range of lifestyles, cultures and perspectives and points of view, this might include trips but there must be geographical context. C. How does geography education support students personal development? D (ii) Monitoring. Rigorous monitoring, self-evaluation and reflection identifies priorities and strategies for improvement and lead to a well-focused geography curriculum and high quality pupil outcomes. Example of monitoring timetable, findings and actions Relevant excerpt from the subject improvement / development/ action planning D. How is geography education being led and managed?
Impactful process Each year as part of the application process schools provide feedback on the impact of the quality mark process, the following were all mentioned multiple times in 2022: Raised the profile and allowed recognition, showcasing and celebration Improved systems of CPD Strengthened curriculum planning and empowered curriculum review Created focus on developing areas of weakness and highlighted development plan priorities Increased the explicit geographical content Raised awareness and understanding of broader geographical issues Improved engagement and enjoyment Improved resourcing Increased staff subject knowledge Triggered increase depth of planning and assessment Invigorated staff to engage in whole school initiatives Improved coverage and expectations Stimulated more memorable teaching Drove a change in perception of what geography is Raised expectations Increase the confidence of teachers
Prestigious Awards The PGQM award celebrates high quality geographical learning and leadership and is therefore highly valued by school leaders both nationally and internationally. The Gold hub award recognises gold schools contribution to developing the subject, and supporting the primary geography more widely. community,
Celebrating quality learning The Quality Mark is a powerful process which aims to engage, stimulate, support and celebrate high quality pupil outcomes in geography. The PGQM will give you the opportunity to raise the profile of geography across the whole school community from pupils and teachers to parents and governors. Pupils at St Richard's Catholic Primary School, Skelmersdale, Silver PGQM awardees 2022
Ready to get started? Talk to your line-manager about engaging with the award process. You will need their support for the funding and also so that you have the time and space to gather the evidence to demonstrate you have met the key indicators. Register for the award on the Geographical Association website www.geography.org.uk Join the online community of teachers who are in your cohort as well as ones who have been through the process and who can offer you help and advice. Collaborate, discuss, and collect evidence to demonstrate that you have met the key indicators. Get in touch with info@geography.org.uk if you have any questions.
