The RGS are asking us to show our support for geography by logging onto the Department of Education’s important current National Curriculum Review – call for evidence consultation. This is seeking the views of the public on which subjects should be in the school curriculum, studied to what age, and your ideas for curriculum content. The key part of the questionnaire is on pages 11/12 (Question 17a-f) where there are tick boxes about geography. This, together with completing the background information at the start of the questionnaire, will take you less than five minutes. (If you want to complete the whole 21 pages be prepared to spend at least an hour; but we are not asking that you do this.)
The RGS want to demonstrate the real depth of support for geography that exists, so are requesting responses, now, online at W: http://www.education.gov.uk/consultations.
The Society has been in discussion with the Schools Minister and Secretary of State and is submitting its views on the curriculum content. We believe passionately that geography is vital in the curriculum as a compulsory National Curriculum subject from age 5 to at least age 14 (that is, at key stages 1, 2 and 3) and preferably to age 16 (key stage 4).
So please respond to this consultation by the closing date of mid April and encourage others (your colleagues, students at all levels, alumni etc) to do so. Please help us to spread the word about the consultation far and wide.
If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact us. We have posted some details to the Society’s web site (the announcement, timetable through to September 2014 etc). We warmly welcome the appointment of Professor Nigel Thrift to the National Curriculum Review Advisory Panel.
W: http://www.rgs.org/OurWork/Advocacy+and+Policy/Education+policy/schools+policy.htm
Best wishes
Rita and Catherine