You heard it on the Geo-Grapevine..... 

If you need an up-to-date quick guide to what is new on this website, then this is the place. This is the latest national news on events and resources relevant to geography teachers in Staffordshire and beyond.

You can use this space

If you would like your event for the geography teaching world advertised, then please send a 20-80 word summary, a small image and a link to: kate.russell@staffordshire.gov.uk

If it is very short notice, then by all means use the on-line forum.

RIGS Geotrails

A new Geotrail from the Staffordshire RIGS Group is of the
Lower Churnet valley. Following on from the Hamps and Manifold Geotrail, this new 25 km Geotrail provides insight into the geology, geomorphology and industrial heritage of the Lower Churnet Valley between Froghall and Alton. The leaflet explains the dramatic global environmental changes that have produced the rocks and shaped the landscape, which in turn gave rise to specific industrial activity. To obtain copies of the leaflet please email:- Rosie.Duncan@staffs.ac.uk  or r.i.waller@esci.keele.ac.uk or Staffordshire Regionally Important Geological Sites Group website www.esci.keele.ac.uk/srigs/

Geographical Association's Annual Conference

Next conference: 16th - 18th April 2009, Manchester

Sustaining Geography: Guildford March 2008

Did you miss the conference? Want to catch up with some of the lectures and other sessions? Have a look at the conference pages on GA website.. The conference also featured Our World Film Festival, with feature films being shown and the results of the pupils and teachers' film making competitions. All details here.

Geographical Futures: Derby April 2007

If you were not at the conference then catch up with some of the news on the GA website and for a more informal view from Andrew Stacey, which includes lots of pictures from SLN and GGiP stalwarts

Sensational Geography:  Manchester April 2006

For those of you who missed a treat last year and were not able to attend the annual GA conference, you can read about it and get some of the resources which were used by visiting the GA website with their reports of the conference or read Alan Parkinson's excellent report of the event too on Geography Pages!

Join the North Staffs GA Branch and meet fellow colleagues!

Further Details of forthcoming events, contact details, an application form and news from past events are here.

The Geographical Association North Staffordshire Branch Lecture Programme for 2007 - 2008 is now available. All meetings are at 7.30pm  on Wednesday evenings at Staffordshire University, Leek Road site in Stoke, in room LT4 Ashley Building.  Where possible the lecture notes will be made available BUT it is not as good as the real thing!  

A new Shropshire branch has been established in 2007; details of their programme of activities is on their website

Support for students 14 -19

With increasing choices for students post KS3 on-line databases of support are increasingly valuable. Two of these are:
The Staffordshire 14-19 on-line prospectus
ALPS Aimhigher Learning Pathways System

Become a Fairtrade School

The Fairtrade Foundation has launched ‘Fairtrade School’ status for Primary and Secondary Schools in the UK. The Fairtrade mark guarantees a better deal for farmers and workers in the developing world. For schools, Fairtrade provides the opportunity to learn about farming, trade and developing countries and as well as the chance for children to make a real difference by promoting or buying Fairtrade. Fairtrade is an ideal topic for subjects such as geography, PSHE and citizenship, or promoting Fairtrade could be a project for the school council. The Fairtrade School scheme compliments also Eco-Schools Status. For more information about becoming a Fairtrade School and to register for the scheme visit the Fairtrade Foundation website. Bridges Development Education Centre provides practical support and guidance to schools in the West Midlands who are working towards Fairtrade status. Contact Davina at Bridges by email or telephone 01952 255526.

National Geographic Kids Magazine

TIDE~ events in the West Midlands and publications

New resource - Young children and global citizenship ~ a teacher's handbook - details here
TIDE~ Centre Book Club: a new book club launched for KS2 and KS3 teachers Details here
To request a copy of their programme of events and catalogue or to book your place on conferences and courses at www.tidec.org. You can pay by credit/debit card or request an invoice if you book this way. Contact Jackie Zammit, Tide~ Centre,  G04, Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham, B4 7XG Tel Direct 0121 202 3296 jackie@tidec.org

For further details on these events or to book a place please contact: wmc@tidec.org or 0121 202 3290

Naace Weather Project 

Do you regularly or periodically collect weather data? The New Naace Weather Project allows users to view and upload weather data. Any user can view and download data. 

Those wanting to upload data can upload data to suit themselves. They can vary the quantity of data and the period of data collection. Teachers or educationalists interested in making weather data available worldwide should contact Alan Rodgers. They will be supplied with a user name and password. 

To view data already available visit the MAPE website  and select the Weather Project. Teacher’s notes

Geography at Staffordshire University

The Geography Department at Staffordshire University has come top of the student satisfaction poll as voted by students in the first ever national survey of student satisfaction. The department came top for teaching in physical geography and the environment out of 39 universities nation wide scoring an impressive 4.3 out of 5 across a range of criteria. Criteria included teaching, assessment, organisation, learning resources and personal development. For information about the geography department visit www.staffs.ac.uk/geography and a poster about a new fast track course (2 years) and the mountain leadership course.

SLN geography Field weekend

The SLN forum "regulars" enjoyed the SLN field weekend, in the Peak District on February 11 - 13th. Have a look at the forum thread here. Val Vannet booked us into Hartington Youth Hostel (a well recommended establishment!)   We did a "sponsored walk" on the Saturday in aid of the Asian Tsunami appeal, in rain, wind, sleet and hail! 

More photos and stories here!

Staffordshire Colleagues go round the world

International Links - is the new and developing county International Links web-site on your "favourites" list?

Do you also subscribe to the International Links e-Update?
How to register .... Intranet login

SLNgeography@Saxony  - April 2004 - Brilliant

Colleagues from Staffordshire were made a return visit to Saxony in  April 2004. The hospitality of our German geography teacher colleagues was second to none. 

A previous trip proved very successful. The image above was a Uranium mine! Now is a health spa! More details to be found at: http://www.sln.org.uk/geography/saxony/Default.htm 

International Cartographic Association 

The Commission on Cartography and Children has produced a newsletter.  If you would like a copy email Patrick Wiegand

All geography teachers should join their professional association at:

Spend some time at www.geography.org.uk

Thinking of applying for specialist geography status?

From October 2003, schools have been able to apply to be specialist Geography Colleges within the new Humanities Specialist Schools Programme.  Further details are to be found on the website of the Specialist Schools Trust http://www.specialistschools.org.uk/

We would like to hear from you.  Can we help you? Contact kate.russell@staffordshire.gov.uk We can advise you on the quality of your geography as well as develop ideas and visions for your school. 

Geography Matters

New from QCA - Innovating with Geography

A site where geography is where it is at, networking good practice.  Congratulations to all those concerned.

Click the image to find out more

Farming and Countryside Education 

www.face-online.org.uk/ 

For further details of events email Janet Hickinbottom or tel 024 7669 6388 

Geography Action Week: 13th - 18th October 2003 
Images of Geography

Stories and pictures from the action in Staffordshire Schools here

Thanks to all and don't stop celebrating cultural diversity

Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to kate.russell@staffordshire.gov.uk
Copyright © 2007 [QLS Staffordshire County Council]

This page last updated 22 July 2008