David Rogers

The three reports published in March by the workload review groups make interesting reading. They have been informed by the workload survey, although didn't contain a huge proportion of teachers nor make much reference to research (with the exception of the planning report). The recommendations, to me and the team I work with, are common sense. However, three activities that generate workload were missing and the process has failed to take a holistic approach because, let's face it, all issues are workload issues, indeed each report contains the standard phrase 'there is no single reason behind excessive workload.' The three areas missing are top down curriculum change, behaviour management and tutoring.  Now, before I start, all of these are essential, but do have major workload implications, especially if we want teachers to focus on the main thing, which is teaching and learning. Every decision made should ensure that teachers are able to collaboratively plan s...

Schools are about young people achieving.  CPD and leadership should be focused on children and learning, not what Ofsted thinks.  Taking inspriation from a number of sources including #TLAB13 and Ollie Bray, I'm challenging myself not to mention Ofsted as I lead Priory Geography this term.  No 'Ofsted are worried about passive learners.'  No 'Ofsted would judge this lesson as...' This may be a rubbish idea, it may prove impossible.  Let's see. Let's make it about young people, teaching and learning.  Who's with me? #thoushaltnotmentionthem

It’s well documented and widely agreed that one of the most effective ways to raise standards is through developing effective teacher feedback.  Indeed, when trawling through Inspection reports of schools that have been given Notice to Improve or put into Special Measures, a common target is often this (taken from a school’s inspection feedback and available online): “Raise achievement so that standards in all subjects are at least in line with national averages by improving the quality of teaching. Give priority to: − ensuring all teachers have high expectations and use assessment information to plan lessons that build systematically on students’ prior attainment − the close monitoring of progress in lessons so that teachers detect and tackle any gaps in understanding and move students to a higher level of learning when they are ready − improving the quality of feedback to students, including marking, so that it clarifies the steps that students ...

The photo above is me during a show at Disney Land Paris. The pupils I was accompanying had the great idea that I would love to be in the show. Why put it here? Well, it's another example of when I've really been in the spotlight! Ofsted puts similar pressure on departments. Here is a list of questions that I've been asked at a Curriculum Leader of Geography by Ofsted inspectors. The questions were asked in one-to-one and group interviews. Hopefully they will be of help to others.: 1. Where are the opportunities for independent enquiry in your curriculum? 2. Why do pupils make good progress in your subject but not in others? 3. What have you done to raise standards in your subject and what evidence have you got that it is making a difference? 4. What have you learnt from other departments that are doing well? 5. Where are the literacy opportunities in your curriculum? 6. How do you know that all staff in the department know what a Level 6 is? 7. What have you done to ensure...

Last week my school hosted 5 inspectors. I've always seen inspection as a positive opportunity. Day 1 The inspection team spoke to the whole staff. I was seen by the lead inspector for half a lesson. Very pleased. At least one teacher was seen in each Humanities subject area. I then attended a meeting for Curriculum Leaders. I was called because of the inadequate geography report last year. (I must attract Ofsted!!!!) The meeting focused upon the support networks and whole school initiatives. There was a clear concentration on how the senior team dealt with under performing staff and we got the impression that the team were looking for evidence of the schools vision and communication systems. One clear point to metion is that the inspectors liked seeing plans and future stategies. However, dispite this their judgements were based upon the past and not the future. Day 2 The second day was uneventful. The lead inspector mentioned that he couldn't belive that he was visiting the s...

Wrote this post yesterday, but slideshare was taking a while. Maybe coping with all of Alan's presentations? ;-) Ofsted lesson for Year 9. Bit of citizenship at the end of the lesson with considering rights, responsibilities. Also allowing pupils to decide who should be responsible for reducing climate change. Pupils will move around the room and then have the chance to convince others to join them. Are individuals, the Government or companies responsible for reducing carbon emissions? I don't think that we can teach climate change without considering the citizenship implications of our choices. What Is Causing Our Climate To Change View more presentations from geogrocks . (tags: ofsted geography ) As Ofsted are on their way, the lesson plan can also be found here Youtube videos are these: and,

Attempted to get to work today. I even cleared the car. Got to the A27 and didn't like going sideways, so turned around and got home. Spent the morning creating a Year 8 lesson about tourism. Based upon ideas on the Geography Teaching Today website. We think one of the foci will be how SEN pupils progress in lessons, hence there is an extra column on the lesson plans. Will be passing the whole package to staff via email. I hear that the kids are bonkers at work, so while my colleagues tie them down I've put together the lessons. Should Thailand Ban Tourism View more presentations from geogrocks . (tags: ofsted geography ) Here is the PPT that ties the lesson together. To make this lesson 'living geography' staff will draw on the experiences of young people on holiday. For example, the homework will ask pupils to investigate Portsmouth. The other resources can be found here , including the lesson plan and handouts.

Attended a great workshop by Jeff Stanfield during last week's conference. I work closely with Jeff and love his passion and knowledge. Jeff argues that pupils should be "geography detectives'. I agree. We took part in a couple of taster activities during the workshop. One of which challenged us to match census data to photographs in Southampton. I've used this idea with Portsmouth. It is vital that we continue to explore census data. This lesson will be part of my Ofsted preparation for this Wednesday and Thursday. This is the PPT that holds the lesson together: How Well Do You Know Portsmouth View more presentations from geogrocks . The starter asks pupils to explore their feelings about Portsmouth. Can they put tangible data and evidence together with these feelings. Thanks to Dan and Alan for the 'feelings' slide. Next is the challenge. A series of photos, census and deprivation data. Pupils have to explore the data in order to match the place. In teams, p...

Ofsted this week - Wednesday and Thursday. So far I have: Prepared my lessons so that I can focus on helping out the rest of the team. We will know further details of the inspection tomorrow. Re-written the first page of the department's SEF - the bit covering standards and results Re drafted the department development plan Tomorrow I will cobble together the latest KS3 and 4 data, comparing our progress to this time last year. It was around this time that the department was visited as part of a 'Subject Inspection' . I had only been is post for 4 weeks, as the outcome was inadequate. This time we have made huge strides forward. This will be my 3rd Ofsted inspection in 5 and a half years of teaching. I found the first 2 occasions very positive and am therefore looking forward to the inspection. I'll be blogging and tweeting updates through the week as I prepare for the inspection!

To " improve the use of ICT to enhance teaching and students’ learning, including students’ use of geographical information systems especially in Key Stage 3". One of the targets given by Ofsted after the subject inspection in February. The situation then? Rolling blackboards and ICT meant video, tv, Brazil 2000 and an OHP. Today the final installations of ICT equipment has been installed in the department. This now makes geography the best equipped department ICT wise (after ICT). One suite of 20 machines, every teaching room now has access to a projector and at least one networked PC an speaker system (Year 11 found that these are very loud when I tested the equipment with the 'Where the Hell is Matt' video!) . No interactive whiteboards though but one step at a time. The next step is to ensure that the equipment is used effectively. This means training staff that have little experience of using ICT in the classroom and making sure that the Schemes of Wor...

Well, Ofsted is over! First of all I'd like to thank all of those that offered help and advice! I am very pleased with the results. The key to the process was a very honest self evaluation and an action plan linked to the SEF, school and other action plans. Coupled with some mega impact since January meant that the Leadership category was rated as good. To be so honest was a little soul destroying, but eventually meant that there were no surprises! It has also resulted in the possibility that the department would be 'put up' for further scrutiny during a full inspection visit. Nice. Having gone through this process I welcome Ofsted as I feel that as teachers we should be accountable. What went on in the department I have taken over was shocking. But we'll end it there as tomorrow dawns a brand new day!

Well, as I'm sat here in Lancaster services waiting for my climbing partner it seems that blogger won't allow me to upload images today. They were going to be great too! Anyhow, with Ofsted a half term away I've been reflecting on the events since the 13th Feb. I'll write about the KS3 Geography Conference at a later date! That is if the Ofsted fairies don't melt my mind first! I'm sharing my feelings here as I think that others will be able to learn from my experience of the inspection. The first lovely picture shows me grappling with a multitude of ropes during crevasse rescue training in the Alps. The first feeling after the news that Ofsted would be carrying out a 2 day subject inspection of my department led me to panic about how to pull all of the threads together. Things have been moving slowly, but as a new head of department (6 weeks into the job) I wondered how I was going to get all of the threads together. However, the point of training is that thing...