Shropshire Branch of the Geographical Association

We host lectures for the Geographical Association here at School and invite pupils and staff from schools across Shropshire, Staffordshire and into the Black Country.

The GA is a national organisation that seeks to promote the development of Geography as a subject for schools.

Aims

We aim to improve pupils' and staff knowledge of specific geographical topics/ subjects  by hosting lectures regularly each term. The lectures also form part of staff CPD.

We host between 4 and 7 events per year.

Background

The Shropshire Branch of the GA was reopened by Shrewsbury School in 2006, after it had become dormant in the 1990s.

Former Head of Faculty, Rob Morris re-opened the branch and passed it down to his successors. 

Resources

We fund the lecture series each year to allow us to attract excellent speakers and guests.

The Geography department take on the administration of the lectures.

The GA itself contribute towards one lecturer coming to school each academic year.

Impact

Students - from our school and out - note in statements that they very much enjoy the high level of academic lectures as they enhance their learning.

Staff also gain from the expertise.

Pupil Involvement

We usually have approx 80 of our own students attending each lecture and somewhere between 30 and 50 external pupils also, mostly from 6th form years (though the lectures are open to all).

Some 15 members of the GA attend each event.

Frequency

We host between 4 and 7 lectures each academic year, mostly in the Michaelmas and Lent terms.

While the President of the GA Society remains a member of staff here at Shrewsbury, we will continue to finance and host the lecture series.