RGS-IBG Geography Ambassador Scheme

Kate Amis RGS- IBG

Gemma Hay, RHULHarry Jackson, Reading

Jerrikson Villacarlos, QMUL

What is it? Department for Education and

Skills (DfES) funded project to enable geography ambassadors to visit schools in their area

Ambassadors are: Undergraduates Postgraduates Graduates

Why? Numbers of pupils

choosing geography at GCSE have fallen steadily for the past 10 years

Young people often fail to understand the relevance of studying geography to their future career and life skills

Four partners…

The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) Schools Higher Education Institutions Businesses

Why Volunteer? Make a positive impact on the

lives of others Give something back to the local

community Influence your personal career

choice and professional development

Enhance your employability and skills base

What will Ambassadors do?Most will start with a

presentation on:o Why study geographyo Why I love geographyo My gap yearo My researcho Studying geography at

university

What else might Ambassadors do? Geography Clubs After School Clubs Revision sessions Supporting

teachers in geography lessons

Supporting an event, competition or fieldwork activity

When? The time commitment is very flexible:

Three hour training session Only one school visit required (although you can do

more if you want) Times and dates of visits flexible to fit your

schedule – in school hours Bookings will be available from November to July

within school terms especially at key points in the year e.g. GCSE options time

TrainingThe three hour interactive training

offers: Presentation techniques

and ideas Information about working

with children and classroom situations

A chance to meet current Ambassadors

CRB checks

Feedback from ambassadors and schools

School: Southfields Community College, Wandsworth, London

Date: from 27th April (assisting with coursework for 5 weeks)

Ambassador said: A good experience. I learnt to explain and express ideas and concepts in an easier more understandable way. I enjoyed the revision games we played in class, as well as the one-to-one mentoring.

School said: He was great – I was really impressed with him, his attitude and the way he interacted with the students. The visit raised awareness and knowledge of career opportunities for geography graduates. I would be more than happy for him to come back next academic year.

Feedback from ambassadors and schools School: Treviglas Community College, Cornwall

Date: 23rd May

Ambassador said: A fantastic experience and very confidence boosting. I enjoyed talking to students on a one-to-one basis and hearing their perceptions of geography. I was surprised how much geography I knew!

School said: The visit was well prepared and went very well. The pupils has the chance to work with young undergraduates who are clearly very interested in their subject.

Feedback from ambassadors and schools School: Connaught School, London, 26th January,

Ambassador said: The pupils were very responsive and engaged and asked a lot of questions.

School said: He pitched his talk at just the right level. He was a natural speaker and brilliant ambassador. His enthusiasm for geography was tenable. His presentation was excellent and he managed to keep a class gob-smacked on a Friday afternoon! I witnessed “lights go on” in students faces and I was impressed by his dynamic delivery. We would love to have him back to speak to out year 10s to encourage them to choose geography at A-Level.

Universities -What is in it for you ?Enhanced experience and evidence for student personal develoment profiles: Termly report with feedback quotes and details of school visits made by each student.

Standard or bespoke training programme. Undergraduate as co ordinator? masterclasses, revision programme, summer schools,

Increased links with schools for departmental schools liaison and WP work. Improved recruitment

Increased involvement in partnerships involving other universities, Aimhigher, EBPs, professional organisations etc through events and activities.

Alumni value: Encourage long term network of energetic graduates to maintain link with your department through the scheme.

Training London

2nd August 2007 6-9pm 2nd October 2007 6 – 9pm 1st November 2007 6-9pm 20th November 2007 6-9pm

Liverpool 10th October 2007 6-9pm 16th October 2007 2-5pm

Reading 25th October 2007 6-9pm

Leeds 22nd October 2007 3-6pm

Training will also take place in: Plymouth, Oxford, Sussex, Durham, Sheffield and elsewhere to suit

Contact us

Emailambassadors@rgs.org

Phone0207 591 3050

Webwww.rgs.org/ambassadorswww.geographyteachingtoday.org