As geographers gather in London next week for the Royal Geographical Society conference, one topic not on the official agenda, but on delegates’ minds, will be how to reverse their subject’s flagging popularity in schools. Duncan Scott reports
Troughs
* “There is weaker provision in geography than in any other national curriculum subject”, Ofsted primary subject report 20034
* “Geography... is perceived by increasing numbers of pupils as being uninteresting or irrelevant.”
Ofsted secondary subject report 20034
* There has been no major review of curriculum content since the late 1980s.
* “You teach ******* geography, probably the most tedious subject in the history of subjects, historically taught by the most tedious ******* teachers. You’re supposed to be boring. Live with it.” Kurt to Brian, the PEgeography teacher, Teachers, Aug 20, 2003
Peaks
* The Government set aside pound;244,000 in 20045 for initiatives to support geography in schools.
* A new GCSE piloted by OCR has been well received by teachers .
* Geography gains considerable support from its two subject associations - the Geographical Association and the Royal Geographical Society with Institute of British Geographers.
QCA report 2004
