The headings on this page are the statements in the Teachers’ Standards that all new teachers must meet. The series of questions for each statement are prompts for new geography teachers to think about. They should use these prompts to discuss their training with their geography mentor and evaluate their progress. These questions are not intended to be a further set of ‘standards’ to be met.

To fulfil wider professional responsibilities beyond the geography classroom, you should do the following:

Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school

• Have I used opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities?
• Do I make a valuable contribution to the work of the geography department?

Geography teachers often become involved in a range of activities with students that have geographical relevance; for example, working with the local community, youth hostelling, environmental or sustainability projects, or activities such as the GA WorldWise Quiz.

Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, knowing how and when to draw on advice and specialist support

• Do I use observations (both observing others and being observed) effectively to support my professional development and help me improve my practice?
• Do I encourage colleagues to critique my practice?
• Do I take opportunities to discuss geography pedagogy and practice with teacher colleagues?
• Have I collaborated with geography colleagues and other teachers in joint teaching, planning or fieldwork?
• Do I work well in a team?

Deploy support staff effectively

• Do I make effective use of school staff, such as teaching assistants, in my geography lessons?

Take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues

• Do I take responsibility for my own professional development, e.g. subject knowledge?
• Do I listen to advice on how to improve my teaching?
• Do I try to be a reflective teacher and evaluate my lessons thoroughly?
• Do I draw on evidence-informed practice in my reflections?
• Do I seek feedback and critique from expert geography teachers and others?
• Do I belong to the geographical community, for example as a GA member?
• Do I use opportunities to participate in wider networks to strengthen my pedagogical and subject knowledge?
• Have I made the most of visits to others schools, e.g. primary experience?
• Do I take opportunities to engage critically with research and discuss evidence with teacher colleagues?
• Do I manage my time effectively?

Communicate effectively with parents with regard to students’ achievements and well-being

• Have I participated in a parents’ meeting with my geography mentor or a class teacher?
• Do I feel confident that I could contribute to oral and written reports to parents?

Where to find support?

For support in achieving this Standard, start with Wider professional responsibilities.

Discuss your professional development with your geography mentor. Also discuss your professional responsibilities with the person who leads ITE training in your school or your induction tutor.