A range of scenarios for middle leaders to consider when taking over a department - based upon Priory Geography in 2008.

1. Achievement and standards are inadequate
Ofsted
‘For the relatively small number of students who take GCSE
geography, their geography results are well below the
results for their other subjects.’
‘Students’ standards are below expectations at the end of
Year 9 and well below national averages at GCSE. Although
teaching is satisfactory, students have not learnt enough
because of an inadequate curriculum. ‘
SEF
‘Pupils achieved a lower standard in Geography than in
some other subjects in the school, mostly notably at KS4.
The relative performance indicator (RAISEOnline) gives a
figure of –5.6. The percentage of pupils achieving A*-C has
improved, going from 29.7% to 32.7% in.
Underperformance was notable when considering pupils
with special educational needs and English as an additional
language. There was a small gender bias in performance
with girls slightly closer to their targets than boys. ‘
‘Overall the standards that learners achieve were not high
enough when set against their capability and starting
points.’
Ideas, plan, steps:

2. Inadequate Curriculum
Ofsted
‘The work planned for Key Stage 3 does not motivate the
students. The schemes of work on which teachers base
their lessons are too general to guide teachers effectively
and contain insufficient opportunities for students to use
their ICT skills or to ask and answer their own geographical
questions.’
Ideas, plan, steps:
Autumn Spring Summer
Year 7 Map Skills Coasts Farming
Year 8 Rivers Volcanoes Settlement
Year 9 Industry Population Floods

3. GCSE Coursework does not meet specification resulting in low
standards
Ofsted
‘Coursework standards are a particular weakness at GCSE
and, as a result, standards are well below national
averages. Students’ work is too descriptive with insufficient
analysis, and few students use information and
communication technology (ICT).’
SEF
‘Coursework has been highlighted as a weakness in the
subject with underperformance affecting overall
achievement’
‘Current Year 11 Cohort’s coursework does not meet
specification assessment criteria’
Ideas, plan, steps:

4. GCSE Numbers are low
Total Year 10 Cohort 250 students
Geography Cohort 35 students
History Cohort 180 students
Ideas, plan, steps:

5. No fieldwork
Ofsted
‘Previously, GCSE coursework was badly planned and
organised so that students were not prepared to achieve
well. ‘
‘There has not been a programme of fieldwork that
involved all students taking Key Stage 3 and GCSE courses.’
Ideas, plan, steps:

6. No culture of CPD and lots of non-specialists
Geography Team
2 specialists, 4 non-specialists including 2 SLT members
No courses for many years.
Existing staff are unconfident in delivering a new and innovative curriculum, including the use of ICT
Ideas, plan, steps:

7. Achievement and standards are inadequate
Ofsted
‘For the relatively small number of students who take GCSE
geography, their geography results are well below the
results for their other subjects.’
‘Students’ standards are below expectations at the end of
Year 9 and well below national averages at GCSE. Although
teaching is satisfactory, students have not learnt enough
because of an inadequate curriculum. ‘
SEF
‘Pupils achieved a lower standard in Geography than in
some other subjects in the school, mostly notably at KS4.
The relative performance indicator (RAISEOnline) gives a
figure of –5.6. The percentage of pupils achieving A*-C has
improved, going from 29.7% to 32.7% in.
Underperformance was notable when considering pupils
with special educational needs and English as an additional
language. There was a small gender bias in performance
with girls slightly closer to their targets than boys. ‘
‘Overall the standards that learners achieve were not high
enough when set against their capability and starting
points.’
Ideas, plan, steps: