David Rogers

The Geographical Association’s Annual Conference (‘ #GACONF15)  is a fantastic event, especially for geographers that are often within small departments or isolated within schools.  The power of networking and learning face-to-face is really powerful – and continues to help me in my current role.  If it’s your first time, here are some of my tips.  They aren’t official….. 1. There will be loads of free stuff to tempt you into the exhibition.  I recommend visiting twice.  The first is a cruise around, spot potential stands that you’d like to explore.  Then, don’t go to one of the sessions.  Instead, spend the time walking around the exhibition area which will now be empty of most people (sometimes I can be found writing my presentation in the corner…).  This gives you time to talk to the people on each stand (head to the ones you’re interested in first).  This has a couple of advantages.  The first is that you can make some great ...

It’s coming close to one of my favourite events of the year: the Geographical Association’s Annual Conference.  You can check out the details here , including programmes.  I fell out of love with the GA a little while ago, but reengaged during last year’s conference in Guildford.  This year I’ll be heading to Manchester for. three days of Geography.  I really enjoy being a geographer, and the mix of lectures and workshops from all phases of education is really valuable.  Indeed, it has the best line up of any education event. Here are a few events that I’m looking forward to – if it’s your first time at the conference come and say Hi at the TeachMeet and BeerMeet – details below. Also check out my next post which is a guide for first time explorers. 1. I suppose I’d better mention my session at 13:50 on the Saturday – ‘ How inspirational Geography makes an impact on performance .’ I intend to explore the project management and practical aspects of transformi...

I’ve been an Assistant Headteacher now for 18 months and it’s time to start sharing some of the stuff I’ve been up to. My job is varied.  Part of it is Pupil Premium Champion, trying to ensure the progress of disadvantaged children is accelerated so that they do at least as well as those from more advantageous backgrounds.  This is a mission and a half, but I believe that there is no magic bullet.  I’m planning on sharing some of what I’ve been exploring over the past 18 months in an attempt to reflect and share what works and what hasn’t.  I believe in high quality teaching and learning from lesson one of Year 7.  I believe that this can only be achieved through allowing staff freedom to adapt their teaching within structures of accountability.  For this to work, the progress of Pupil Premium Students are the responsibility of every adult involved with education. In order to support the small scale stuff and open a line of communication between myself a...

30 years ago I was 7 years old living in the Rhondda Valleys.  My father was the undermanager of Mardy Colliery.  Today is significant because 30 years ago today my father appeared on the BBC news, welcoming back the workers after the Year long Miner’s Strike, the mine was known as ‘Little Moscow’.  My father went to work every day and between the age of 6 and 7, the events are ingrained in my soul and I have some deeply ingrained values and beliefs from those days.  I haven’t seen my father in many years, and have no desire to (he beat my mother) but I do respect him for being an English man who left Essex with £5 and a four pack of beer.  I remember wanting someone to stop the violence, but it only stopped when I helped my mother leave him to live in a Women’s refuge at 12 years old with my three siblings.  The lesson? No one is going to do it apart from you.  My father wasn’t Superman and Superman didn’t come to the rescue. Superman didn’t rescue...