teaching - Earth Science Teachers' Association

TEACHING EARTH SCIENCES ● Volume 31 ● Number 4, 2006
Chartered Geographer (Teacher) – The
Only Ongoing Professional Accreditation
Linked to CPD in Geography
CLAIRE WHEELER
“Knowing Chartered Geographer is on my teaching CV gives me professional status,” Tessa Willy,
CGeog (Teacher)
If you are using your geographical knowledge to
teach young people about geographical Earth sciences
– both in the classroom and in the field – you
can now have your professional status recognised
through the Society’s Chartered Geographer (Teacher)
accreditation. This accreditation is being rolled out as
part of the Action Plan for Geography (APG). The APG
was launched in March 2006 and is delivered equally
and jointly by the GA and the RGS-IBG.
What is a Chartered Geographer (Teacher)?
For teachers, Chartered status recognises your subject
knowledge in geography; professional practice & expertise
(both in the classroom and in the field); and your
commitment to CPD and sharing your expertise
beyond your specific teaching responsibilities. The
Chartered Geographer (Teacher) accreditation is on a
par with Chartered Awards offered by other professional
bodies – such as becoming a Chartered Surveyor
or Accountant. Becoming a Chartered Geographer
(Teacher) indicates that you are:
● involved in influencing the advancement of geographical
teaching and learning in the wider teaching
community;
● committed to promoting learning and to raising
geography standards in schools;
● and aware of recent developments in the subject, its
delivery in schools and the importance of good practice
in dissemination.
The benefits of becoming a Chartered Geographer
(Teacher) cover a number of areas including:
● Professional Development: Chartered Geographer
(Teacher) is being developed to be relevant to
the developing TDA framework of professional and
occupational standards for teachers. CGeog
(Teacher) will provide an accredited award relevant
to your professional and career development.
● Career progression: It can support your application
for a leadership or Advanced Teacher role.
● A wider contribution to geography: It shows that
you are committed to geography beyond your specific
teaching responsibilities, by recognising your
ongoing contribution to teaching and learning and
the wider discipline, and demonstrates your maintenance
of professional standards through continually
developing your geographical skills and knowledge.
As Garry Atterton, a Chartered Geographer from The
Castle School, South Gloucestershire, recently
commented:
“Continued professional development is essential to practising
geography teachers to keep up-to-date with changes to the
curriculum and teaching and learning methodology. Therefore
the regular delivery to and attendance of conferences and meetings,
as is required for the annual continuation of the Chartered
Geography (Teacher) status, has greatly benefited myself, members
of the department and my students”.
To become a CGeog (Teacher) you will need an Honours
degree or B.Ed in geography (or equivalent), at least
six years teaching experience and a demonstrable commitment
to CPD by embedding it in your own practice,
and supporting others. And if you are successful in your
application you will also become a Fellow of the Royal
Geographical Society (with IBG). Full application details
can be found on www.rgs.org/cgeogteacher and you can
use existing documentation such as your Professional
Development Record or performance management evidence
to support your application.
For further information about Chartered Geographer
(Teacher) please contact:
Claire Wheeler
Professional and Communications Officer
Action Plan for Geography
Royal Geographical Society (with IBG)
1 Kensington Gore
London
SW7 2AR
Tel: 0207 591 3053
Fax: 0207 591 3001
Email: cgeogteacher@rgs.org
Website: www.rgs.org/cgeogteacher
17 www.esta-uk.org