Course Overview
This session explores what a genuinely high-quality geography curriculum looks like in practice in light of current curriculum reform discussions, Ofsted’s Geography Subject Report Getting Our Bearings, and wider debates around knowledge-rich education.
The course will support geography leaders and teachers in evaluating the coherence, ambition and implementation of their curriculum. It will move beyond surface-level curriculum design to examine how curriculum intent, sequencing, pedagogy, fieldwork, assessment and disciplinary thinking fit together to create meaningful geographical education.
Drawing on recent national curriculum development work, subject inspection insights, and classroom practice, the session will combine strategic curriculum thinking with practical examples that departments can apply immediately.
Why Attend?
The session is led by Mark Enser, an experienced education consultant, author and former HMI who served as Ofsted’s National Lead for Geography. Mark has worked extensively with schools, trusts, publishers and curriculum organisations on geography curriculum development, teacher education and subject leadership. His work includes:
- Leading and contributing to national curriculum projects
- Authoring the Ofsted geography subject report Getting Our Bearings
- Writing influential books including Powerful Geography, Making Every Geography Lesson Count and Teach Like Nobody’s Watching
- Supporting departments and trusts with curriculum development and quality assurance
- Developing geography resources and textbooks used nationally and internationally
Delegates will gain:
- Practical and realistic examples drawn from real curriculum development work
- Insight into current national conversations around curriculum reform
- Opportunities to reflect on their own curriculum strengths and priorities
- Concrete strategies that can be implemented immediately within departments
- Opportunities for professional discussion and networking with other geography educators
The session is particularly valuable for departments currently reviewing curriculum intent, progression, assessment or fieldwork provision.
What will it cover?
- What Ofsted identifies as strengths and weaknesses in geography curricula
- Building an ambitious and coherent geography curriculum
- Curriculum sequencing and progression across KS3 and KS4
- Balancing substantive knowledge, disciplinary thinking and geographical concepts
- Embedding fieldwork meaningfully within the curriculum
- Using GIS and spatial thinking effectively
- Teaching approaches that support deep geographical understanding
- Assessment and feedback that genuinely inform learning
- Developing curriculum coherence rather than isolated lessons
- Preparing geography curricula for future reform and accountability changes
Any supplementary info
1 free place for each Liverpool City School from Universal Offer
Who should attend?
- Heads of Geography
- Geography teachers (KS3–KS5)
- Subject leaders and curriculum leads
- Trust geography leads
- Early career teachers looking to strengthen curriculum understanding
- Senior leaders with responsibility for curriculum and humanities provision
Cost
£105 per delegate.
All costs are subject to VAT. Failure to cancel or non-attendance will incur costs. All cancellations must be completed online at www.sil-ltd.co.uk at least 48 hours in advance.
