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200 (ish) hours @PrioryGeography

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“ I guess we all like to be recognized not for one piece of fireworks, but for the ledger of our daily work.’

Neil Armstrong.

 

What an adventure the last three weeks have been.  Every now and again, a series of events unfolds that confirms that the direction one has taken is the right one.  That is to say, it’s the right thing for the young people and teachers of Priory Geography.  I thought about writing separate posts, but here it goes.

Over the past 200 or so contact hours, from 25th February which seems a lifetime ago, Priory Geography has:

  • Gone through another whole school Oftsed inspection and emerged in good shape.  Those that remember the reports of 10 years ago where every derpartment got a mention, will know how difficult it is to get a mention in a whole school report:

    ‘Feedback to students through marking is variable, with some very good examples. Students
    make good use of stamps and self-assessment trackers, such as in geography, which allow them
    to keep track of their progress.’  I’ll take that!

  • We got involved and helped to run a very successful TeachMeet Pompey.

  • Visited the Hampshire GA branch to give a lecture to a packed theatre of sixth formers.

  • Won the Secondary School category of the Education Innovation awards for our work on the Mobile @ Priory project.

  • Run a highly successful Year 8 residential to FSC Juniper Hall.

  • At the 50% stage of their GCSE course, Year 11 are on track with a 32% increase in their A*-C compared with this time last year.  We don’t allow re-sits. Underachievement has fallen by almost 40% and we are on track to achieve 80% A*-C.  Considering we started at 30% a few years ago, I’ll take that.

  • Received a Frederick Soddy Award to support fieldwork.

And the thing is.  We’re only just getting warmed up.

A massive thank you to the Priory Geography team, both past a present, without whom I’d just be a mildly excitable teacher sat in the corner.  It may be an overworked phrase, but I stand on the shoulders of giants.  Before I name and shame, thank you also to the numerous support staff who we have worked with.  Without you, the department and school would crumble.

Thank you also to the current members of the team, Jo, Sam and Jonathan have to put up with a lot.  They rock. Seriously.

Thank you also to Alec, Lisa and Mo.

The journey continues and will be plotted here. 

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