The document outlines the support and resources offered by the Geographical Association (GA) and the Royal Geographical Society (RGS-IBG) for primary and secondary schools, emphasizing professional development, membership benefits, and access to educational materials. It highlights opportunities for teachers, including joint memberships, resources for curriculum planning, and professional recognition through various programs. Additionally, it details local CPD networks and the importance of quality geography education to engage students and enhance their learning experiences.

1. © John Swannell
Michael Palin
than that? ”
Society (with IBG).
be more important
the Royal Geographical future. What could
Geographical Association and
jointly and equally by the prepares us for the
It is supported by DCSF and run
primary and secondary schools. the present and
and support for English
2008-2011 provides advice
the past, illuminates
for Geography (APG)
The Action Plan “Geography explains
Join us
The GA and RGS-IBG also provide a wealth of support for schools
through our respective memberships for individual and departments/
schools. Local
tinuing
s AS Con l o p m e n t
Geographical Association: Membership details network l D e v e
Membership of the GA can be personal or group. It guarantees a siona bject
P r o f e s making KS1 Su o g r a p h y
termly news magazine (GA Magazine); specialist journals; discounts on lum ng ge Mark
Curricu s h i p M a k i
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online members’ services (including the electronic journals archive) l e a dKS2 Geograpacy er Online arning
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Royal Geographical Society (with IBG): Membership details
You can become a RGS-IBG School Member and gain whole school
Acti c sour ns sit
access to www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org, providing support
KS3 re sentatio t univer
for GCSE, IB and A level students, alongside discounts on CPD io nal pre Geography a ples
Inspirat s GCSE
events and publications. The Society has developed nine educational
caree CPD GIS YouA2 Opti
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websites spanning climate change to diversity, and Antarctica to global
Geogra es Foundat
perspectives and runs many CPD events. Teachers can also become ion
an individual Fellow of the Society and use the title “FRGS”. Please choic
see: www.rgs.org/schools
Joint Membership
Early Career Teacher. Joint membership of the GA and RGS-IBG
for PGCE students, NQTs and colleagues in the first three years of
• Online resources and support
teaching. Annual membership starts at £49.00.
www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk
Reciprocal Membership. Providing access for GA members to • Local CPD and support networks
become Fellows of the RGS-IBG and apply for CGeog status and
for RGS-IBG members to join the GA and apply for a Quality Mark. • Inspire your pupils
• Recognising your success
For details of joint membership please see Supported by
www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk

2. “A fantastic,
useful course
“These resources – lots of things
are invaluable. I’m I will use and pass on to
starting my first the rest of the teachers
job and as the at my school. Thank you!”
only geography
specialist, these
resources will be Local CPD and support
priceless!” networks
A growing range of locally based CPD and support networks for primary
Online resources and support and secondary schools. These networks focus on curriculum planning;
resource support, development and sharing; local field work and
The APG website www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk enhancing practice. They are complemented by national and local online
provides a wealth of resources, online CPD and advice including: support networks and activities and opportunities to develop your own
• KS3 resources on Africa, China, climate change, flooding, geographically themed social network sites for networking and sharing.
hazards, India, London 2012 & tourism. New resources on Our networks will expand, with the initial networks in 2009 including
glaciation, conflict and geography’s contribution to citizenship, Birmingham, Brighton and Hove, Bristol, Bromley, Chesterfield,
history & MFL. Essex, Hampshire, Hull, Kent, Lincoln, Preston, Roehampton,
• Fieldwork resources on GIS, health and safety, Jurassic Coast, Rotherham and Sheffield.
KS2-KS3 transition, Lake District, local learning and London 2012. There is ‘start up’ funding &/or other support available to set up new
New resources on sustainable development, local fieldwork & local networks:
university fieldwork partnerships. • Via the RGS-IBG to support CPD networks working with
• Online CPD on curriculum making, fieldwork, global a local Chartered Geographer with a focus on KS3
dimension, ICT, KS1&2, KS3, subject leadership and and fieldwork
sustainable development.* The Action Plan • Via the GA to support primary schools through
• Starter ideas for teachers without a geography for Geography (APG) the Geography Champions network and
background. 2008-2011 provides advice secondary schools via Centres of Excellence.
• Samples of student work showing how and support for English primary To join your local network or to set up a
students can make progress in thinking and secondary schools. new one please see the Local Support
geographically. and Networks section of
It is supported by DCSF and run www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk
* The online CPD is also supported by the TDA.
jointly and equally by the
Geographical Association and“Chartered
the Royal Geographical Geographer
Society (with IBG). status has greatly
“The ambassador did an excellent benefited myself,
www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk
job, with his input and the questions on
University life. He’s a good example of how Recognising members of the
department and
geography shapes a personable, confident your success my students.”
and well informed individual.”
The GA and RGS-IBG are delighted to recognise your successes
Inspire your pupils through our respective professional recognition activities.
Chartered Geographer Teacher accreditation (RGS-IBG)
Geography Ambassadors Chartered Geographer (Teacher) is the only ongoing professional
The RGS-IBG Geography Ambassadors programme is an accreditation linked to CPD in Geography and is relevant to the
inspirational way to engage your pupils with the relevance of Professional Standards for Teachers. Being awarded CGeog
geography to GCSE, A Level and university choices and in status can support your application for a leadership or Advanced
careers. Ideal to help prepare your pupils for their Y9 and A Teacher role and enhances your career portfolio.
Level options, our Ambassadors are available nation
wide. To find the location of your local CGeog is available to teachers who can demonstrate competence,
Ambassador and to book a visit log onto experience and professionalism in the use of geographical
www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk/ knowledge or skills, and who are committed to maintaining their
ambassadors/introduction/ professional standards through ongoing CPD.
Young People’s Geographies The Geography Quality Marks, available in secondary and
The Young People’s Geographies project primary versions (GA)
is about making school geography more The Geography Quality Marks offer a framework that enables
relevant to students by involving them in subject leaders to raise the standards of geography in their
curriculum making and by focusing on schools. The overarching strength is to act as an effective ‘lever of
their own lived geographies. It brings change’ for the development of geography in schools. The Primary
together school geography and ideas Quality Mark can be awarded at bronze, silver and gold levels
from academic geography to look at while secondary schools who achieve the Quality Mark may also
ways in which young people and their aspire to Centre of Excellence status, recognising their efforts in
geographies can support the ongoing disseminating approaches to quality geography. Telephone, email
process of curriculum making in school. and on-line support is available to help schools who wish to have
www.youngpeoplesgeographies.co.uk/ the quality of their geography provision recognised nationally.
Supported by

3. © John Swannell
Michael Palin
than that? ”
Society (with IBG).
be more important
the Royal Geographical future. What could
Geographical Association and
jointly and equally by the prepares us for the
It is supported by DCSF and run
primary and secondary schools. the present and
and support for English
2008-2011 provides advice
the past, illuminates
for Geography (APG)
The Action Plan “Geography explains
Join us
The GA and RGS-IBG also provide a wealth of support for schools
through our respective memberships for individual and departments/
schools. Local
Geographical Association: Membership details networks AS Continuing
Membership of the GA can be personal or group. It guarantees a Professional Development
termly news magazine (GA Magazine); specialist journals; discounts on Curriculum making KS1 Subject
primary and secondary publications (including the KS3 Toolkit series); leadership Making geography
online members’ services (including the electronic journals archive) happen KS2 Geography Quality Mark
discounted access to events, including the GA Annual Conference Chartered Geographer Teacher Online support
and opportunities to join the data base of GA consultants. Please see: Ambassador visits Fieldwork Local learning
www.geography.org.uk
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG): Membership details
Action Plan for Geography 2008–2011
You can become a RGS-IBG School Member and gain whole school
KS3 resources Interdisciplinary support
access to www.geographyinthenews.rgs.org, providing support
Inspirational presentations KS4 Geography
for GCSE, IB and A level students, alongside discounts on CPD
events and publications. The Society has developed nine educational
careers GCSE Geography at university
websites spanning climate change to diversity, and Antarctica to global
Local CPD GIS Young Peoples
perspectives and runs many CPD events. Teachers can also become Geographies A2 Option
an individual Fellow of the Society and use the title “FRGS”. Please choices Foundation
see: www.rgs.org/schools
Joint Membership
Early Career Teacher. Joint membership of the GA and RGS-IBG
for PGCE students, NQTs and colleagues in the first three years of
teaching. Annual membership starts at £49.00.
• Online resources and support
Reciprocal Membership. Providing access for GA members to
www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk
become Fellows of the RGS-IBG and apply for CGeog status and
for RGS-IBG members to join the GA and apply for a Quality Mark. • Local CPD and support networks
Supported by
For details of joint membership please see • Inspire your pupils
www.geographyteachingtoday.org.uk • Recognising your success