GEOGRAPHY
Is geography
a subject, a
discipline, a
resource, an idea,
A Different
a human creation, a lens,
or a list of facts? Professor
David Lambert of the
View
Geographical Association
introduces its new manifesto
for school geography
T IS surely vital for children to learn about
I
“the earth as our home”. For children to
enquire and investigate the world around them
is crucial for understanding themselves in the
world. To find out why and how things in the children the opportunity to learn about issues that Is geography a subject, a discipline, a resource, an Association declares its belief in the value of teacher
physical and human world work is to satisfy a concern the “real world”. idea, a human creation, a lens, a list of facts? It is, of autonomy. It is teachers who need to feel free to engage
basic curiosity. And yet, we see geography (along with other “human” course, all of these things, and the manifesto attempts creatively with geography – and the young people
Furthermore, evidence shows that children want to subjects like history) marginalised in schools – squeezed to show this in a way that can communicate with they teach – to pull off versions of “living geography”
learn about the world. Research commissioned by the into narrower and narrower option blocks, or weakened teachers and professional geographers, and also parents, in schools. This implies great responsibility and a
Geographical Association to discover the views of 11 to in generic skills-led key stage 3 programmes. students, governors, and school leadership teams. considerable challenge.
14-year-olds found that the vast majority (93 per cent) To support and promote geography in education, the And so, when you get your copy, use it – and The raison d’etre of the Geographical Association is
think it is at least “fairly important” to learn about issues Geographical Association has launched its “manifesto” the images, video and teaching suggestions on the to support teachers in this endeavour – at conferences
affecting people’s lives in different parts of the world for school geography, entitled A Different View, which website. and workshops, through journals and publications,
(about half think it is “very important”). should have been received in every UK secondary The manifesto demonstrates, in a fresh and engaging in development projects and materials posted on the
More than 90 per cent of young people think it is school. way, that there is coherence and importance to what website. And now, with A Different View. SecEd
important to learn about where the things they use, Look out for your copy. Its publication marks the geographical perspectives can bring to the curriculum.
such as food, energy and water, come from. And beginning of a national conversation about geography This is summarised by the notion of encouraging and • Professor David Lambert is chief executive of the
94 per cent believe it is important to learn about how the education over at least two or three years, which will nurturing “a different view”. The genealogy of the Geographical Association.
world they live in may change in the future. And yet, be supported by an interactive website (see further phrase is important to acknowledge: RS Peters, the
the same research also found that two-thirds of young information). education philosopher, argued that “to be educated is
Further information
people think not enough time is spent learning about the So what is the purpose of the manifesto? It has not not to arrive at a destination, but to be able to travel with To access the website accompanying A Different View,
wider world in school. been created simply to “defend” geography. Neither is a different view”. visit www.geography.org.uk/adifferentview
Geography, unsurprisingly, is the subject the young it meant to over-promote the subject with grand claims. As we live in complex, challenging and uncertain David Lambert gives his inaugural professorial
people identified as the main place in school for learning It certainly does not try to impose a single definition of times, the manifesto aims to stir up a debate about what lecture, which addresses some of these themes, at the
these things. At the Geographical Association, we have geography, and it is definitely not meant to suggest an should be taught in schools to enable young people to Institute of Education at 5.30pm on June 23. To book a
always been passionate about the subject: it explains, approved Geographical Association “curriculum”. travel with a different view. Geography is self-evidently free place email e.peck@ioe.ac.uk
inspires and addresses curiosity about the earth. It allows Instead, what it tries to do is capture the scope and part of the mix – but in what way, and what kind of For more information about the Geographical
pupils the chance to “get out there” and learn from what exciting potential of geography, this extraordinary, well, geography? Association, including membership, visit
they see and experience outside the classroom. It offers what exactly? The manifesto pulls no punches. The Geographical www.geography.org.uk
Notes and jottings Psycho babble
For whom the bell tolls No more nannying
I’M AT an education trade fair playing cards. And Today the Society has HRH the Countess of ONE OF the most important developmental to thwart the powers that be? Furthermore, removing
because I am of the tables-chanting generation, I can Wessex as its patron. She took over after the death elements of adolescence is learning life-skills – temptation does not teach children anything at all.
manage all the components of the seven times table of the Queen Mother (who had been involved since learning to make choices and decisions, to weigh They need to learn to make the right choices, and be
effortlessly. So, although I usually regard myself as the organisation’s inception) and now visits a good up the consequences of actions. Adolescents do this taught why these choices matter.
mathematically challenged, I’m having fun and the number of schools to meet young gardeners and through a trial-and-error approach, learning from Kids shouldn’t have all potential risks removed
game is pretty good for my self-esteem, as it could be present awards. mistakes and following a somewhat tumultuous path from their environment; they should not be allowed
for all those year 7 and 8 pupils in your school who What an enlightened project. Very “now” too. to adulthood. to resit exams time after time to ensure that they
struggle with numbers. I draw a card and quickly Gardening sits perfectly with the mood of the A teenager’s brain is different from an adult’s. never fail; they should not have decisions made for
work out whether I can play it. No, I can’t because moment: grow vegetables and flowers for health and The frontal lobe, especially the prefrontal cortex, them, either by parents or teachers. Sometimes they
7 x 9 is 63 and I haven’t got a nine. Damn. frugality. Inevitably, though, it’s all down to the is one of the last parts of the brain to fully mature, need to fail – and do so dramatically – to kickstart
Sonia Wright, founder of Ulti (see enthusiasm of a very small group of people and undergoes dramatic development during the the process of change. Mistakes encourage kids to
www.ulti-ltd.com) and her colleague are on a shoestring. Pity there aren’t enough teen years. It’s this “executive” part of the brain think things through, and analyse the processes that
former professional croupiers to whom funds to extend it beyond London. that regulates decision-making, planning, got them there.
rapid tables calculations are meat judgement, expression of emotions, and It isn’t just common sense that dictates
and drink. Horrified by their own Do look out for, read and recommend impulse control, and which may not why kids need to be given scope to make
children’s lack of tables fluency they to students, Forbidden Island be fully mature until the mid-20s. their own decisions; there are sound
devised these ingeniously simple by Malcolm Rose. It’s a novel I have mentioned before the development and physiological reasons
games to teach tables. There’s a for teenagers due from Usborne importance of synapses (links for this as well.
separate game for each times table. Publishing later this month and between neurons that transmit In truth, if kids never make
To begin with a tables chart is I’ve just read an advance review and receive information) in decisions, there is every chance they’ll
displayed close to where the children copy. Based on the hideous history of the adolescent brain. During never learn to do so. Adolescence is
are playing – so that they enjoy the Gruninard, the Scottish island used as adolescence, grey matter in the a time of great opportunity where
cut and thrust even before they know an anthrax testing ground in the 1940s brain begins to thin as synapses we can help youths to become
the relevant times table. Because they love and not decontaminated until 1987, undergo a process of “pruning”. responsible adults by laying the
card games – boys, especially, want to play the page-turning story tells of five Unused synapses are pruned foundation that will help them to
sharply and fast – they soon commit the youngsters who, by chance, find such an away, while those that are used make informed decisions.
table effortlessly to memory at which island and land on it – with disastrous, frequently become stronger. This Then they must be left to their
point the chart can be quietly removed. no-happy-ending consequences. The is why it’s extremely important to own devices. We can mop up
“I’ve seen otherwise reluctant kids result is a splendid and very accessible ensure that kids are given a broad tears, and offer guidance; we can
in both secondary and primary schools blend of science, history and mystery range of subjects, opportunities, provide some practical advice and
getting really absorbed in, and excited – cross-curricular fiction? experiences and activities some suggestions for a better way of
by, these games,” says Ms Wright, who throughout adolescence. Unused doing things, but it’s time we stopped the
visits a lot of schools. Anything which Are you, like John Betjeman, Summoned synapses may virtually disappear if they nannying.
develops both competence and confidence by Bells? Or do bells create a herd mentality aren’t used. There is a multitude of research showing that
and manages to be child-friendly fun at the and a lot of noise? Some newish schools An important part of this is encouraging the vast majority of youths make good decisions
same time gets my vote. And good, this time – such as The Thomas Deacon Academy in kids to make decisions on their own. It is, most of the time. They need space to make them,
I’ve picked up that nine I’m needing. Peterborough, which opened in 2007 – have no undoubtedly, crucial to educate and guide them, but time away from their peers (who cause the emotional
bells, buzzers or bleepers to denote breaks and they should, in the process of becoming adults, be side of the brain to overwhelm the rational side),
I may have mentioned the London Children’s Flower lesson changes and have taken tabloid flak for it. given free rein to mess up, make mistakes, and repeat and, most of all, positive role models, caring
Society (01689 821288) in this column before but Having been bombarded by bells in four their actions until they get a positive results. This gets adults, leadership roles, and challenges that build
make no apologies for revisiting it. different state schools, I then took a job in a bell-free those synapses firing all over the brain. competence, and provide opportunities for kids to
Founded just after the war, it organises bulb independent boarding school and became an anti-bell And this is one reason why the current coddling learn healthy behaviours.
and garden competitions in primary and all-age convert. It makes school seem more adult because of our students, mainly at the behest of government If they aren’t given that chance, we are in danger
special schools across London to promote interest everyone has to take responsibility for his or her own authorities, worries me. Take, for example, the of creating a generation of adults with no decision-
in growing things and the environment. How well time-keeping. And it works. decision by a council in Essex to close fast food making skills whatsoever.
I remember taking my daffodil bulb home and outlets within 300 metres of the school gates. Do
nurturing it through the winter before taking it • Susan Elkin is a freelance education journalist and council authorities really think that kids won’t walk • Karen Sullivan is a bestselling author, psychologist
proudly back to school in the spring to be judged. former teacher. an extra 300 metres to get what they want? Or, indeed, and childcare expert. Email kesullivan@aol.com
SecEd • May 14 2009 7
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