Following the implementation of a re-written Geography curriculum, Fairfield Prep School is proud to have been awarded the Silver Primary Geography Quality Mark from the Geographical Association – the subject association for teachers of Geography.
This prestigious award recognises Fairfield’s commitment to Geography leadership, curriculum development and effective teaching methods for the subject. By ensuring that the School’s curriculum meets key quality indicators, the award assures teachers, parents, pupils and the wider local community that the highest standards of Geography teaching are being met.
Fairfield’s Head of Geography, Mrs Alex Alves, who also holds the roles of Forest School & Outdoor Learning Coordinator and Sustainability Lead, applied for the award after re-writing of the Geography curriculum at Fairfield received lots of positive feedback from the School’s Senior Management Team and staff members.
Mrs Alves’ new scheme of work aims to awaken the pupils and staff’s appetite for geography by making it more meaningful to them and developing close links to the local environment. The curriculum is also designed to establish parental links through geography related career talks and visits, encourage more enquiry-based learning where the children lead their own fieldwork investigations and embed UNESCO’s sustainable development goals into the curriculum.
To qualify for the silver award, Mrs Alves was required to submit evidence of the School’s successes in the subject area, alongside a development plan. Areas of strength for Fairfield identified in the report were encouraging pupils’ curiosity about the subject, the opportunities available to pupils to observe and analyse geographical information and Fairfield’s use of the subject to support cross-curricular learning. The report recognised that “geography is developing as a vibrant and creative subject across the school.”
Upon receiving the award, Mrs Alves said: “It is great to be recognised for all the work I have put in. I am eager to develop this further alongside the Geography Association’s recommendations and my own goals which include: extending enquiry-based learning and fieldwork across the whole school, establishing links with other schools globally, developing CPD training sessions for staff from other schools and attending Geographical Association events to further develop my subject knowledge and provision. (You never know, maybe one day I can achieve gold!)”
Mrs Alves’ commitment to geography also shines through in the engaging outdoor learning sessions she leads with children as young as pre-school and Reception. The sessions are taught at Fairfield’s unique Forest School and offer an opportunity for discovery and sensory learning. The Eco Club, also led by Mrs Alves, is another vibrant part of our school community and is made up of pupils from all Year groups. The club is sustainability focused and continually implements ideas for effective change across our campus. With all this combined, the School looks forward to continuing to learn, promote and champion geography this academic year.
