CALLINGTON Community College has been awarded the Secondary Geography Quality Mark to recognise the excellence of geography teaching at the school.

More than 371 SGQM awards have been presented by the Geographical Association since its launch in 2006. This year 46 schools have been awarded the SGQM including overseas schools in Germany, Vietnam and Hong Kong. The team at Callington Community College has expressed their delight that they are the first school in Cornwall to receive the award.

Huw Pring, head of geography at the college said: ‘This award is due to the hard work of students and staff working together as a team. The department is actively working to raise the standards of geography teaching and learning for our students.’

The work undertaken by the department has undertaken has included running the Year 6 induction day, which included links with other departments in the college, students doing fieldwork and working with partners, as well as building good relationships between staff and students.

Sean Morris, college principal said: ‘This is a fantastic achievement for geography at the college as it shows how successful the department has been in improving the quality of teaching and learning in their subject.’

Over the last three years the geography department has undergone rigorous moderation of their teaching practices to progress. The team of assessors were hugely impressed by the manner in which the college is embracing new and innovative approaches to teaching geography.

The SGQM recognises student attainment, progress and achievement in areas such as geographical knowledge, understanding, values, skills and concepts, and sets expectations about the quality of teaching in geography. It aims to promote effective subject leadership and management, helping subject leaders raise the standards of geography in their schools.

Alan Kinder, chief executive of the GA, said: ‘There has never been a more important time for all children and young people to study geography. Growing up in the 21st century means living in an increasingly interconnected world, one facing a growing number of global challenges such as climate change and the need to live our lives sustainably.

’Geography not only fascinates and inspires young people, it provides them with the knowledge and understanding they need to live in the modern world. Geography is, as we say in the GA’s Manifesto, “fundamental to everyone” and I am delighted that a growing number of primary schools are teaching their students to fully engage with the subject.’