Developing global understanding through the local area The Ysgol Esgob Morgan GLP-W network was created in March 2015 and consists of 20 primary schools and 5 secondary schools from Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire. The network is flexible and usually meets termly, but sometimes more frequently. Training sessions with GLP-W approved providers are planned to meet the needs identified both through completing the GLSE and through information and progress sharing sessions. All meetings also have a focus on developing pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills. What did the network want to achieve? A priority for the network was to develop a deeper understanding of how to link global and local themes through fieldwork, with a focus on developing critical thinking skills. A network meeting, facilitated by the Geographical Association, was used to explore the role of fieldwork and provided a chance for teachers from network schools to discuss how to engage pupils in identifying key questions for investigation when starting a new topic. Ideas included using: a question board to capture pupils’ suggestions visits to the local area the value of key ‘stopping points’ when engaging in fieldwork how local areas have stories to tell about key global themes The network took part in a fieldwork day in the locality of St Asaph and agreed to develop the key themes, ideas and approaches back in their own settings. How did they set about it? Time was spent in a network meeting defining fieldwork and clarifying its role, discussing how to approach it, including risk assessments, and how to use online mapping software. Using maps of St Asaph, each group of network teachers then went into the community following different routes to find global links. This gave unique and different perspectives on the fieldwork and allowed each group to use their own knowledge of place to explore the global themes and links that exist in St Asaph. Examples of stopping points included St. Asaph Cathedral where the North Wales International Music Festival is held annually, and the HM Stanley Hospital, former home to its namesake, the controversial Victorian adventurer and journalist. Following the fieldwork, the groups reassembled and discussed the international links they had found. These included links to Africa through the history of the HM Stanley Hospital, many global links from the International Music Festival, connections with Turkey and Poland from local shops and also links to New Zealand through the livestock market.
Developing global understanding through the local area The Ysgol Esgob Morgan GLP-W network was created in March 2015 and consists of 20 primary schools and 5 secondary schools from Conwy, Denbighshire and Flintshire. The network is flexible and usually meets termly, but sometimes more frequently. Training sessions with GLP-W approved providers are planned to meet the needs identified both through completing the GLSE and through information and progress sharing sessions. All meetings also have a focus on developing pupils’ literacy and numeracy skills. What did the network want to achieve? A priority for the network was to develop a deeper understanding of how to link global and local themes through fieldwork, with a focus on developing critical thinking skills. A network meeting, facilitated by the Geographical Association, was used to explore the role of fieldwork and provided a chance for teachers from network schools to discuss how to engage pupils in identifying key questions for investigation when starting a new topic. Ideas included using: a question board to capture pupils’ suggestions visits to the local area the value of key ‘stopping points’ when engaging in fieldwork how local areas have stories to tell about key global themes The network took part in a fieldwork day in the locality of St Asaph and agreed to develop the key themes, ideas and approaches back in their own settings. How did they set about it? Time was spent in a network meeting defining fieldwork and clarifying its role, discussing how to approach it, including risk assessments, and how to use online mapping software. Using maps of St Asaph, each group of network teachers then went into the community following different routes to find global links. This gave unique and different perspectives on the fieldwork and allowed each group to use their own knowledge of place to explore the global themes and links that exist in St Asaph. Examples of stopping points included St. Asaph Cathedral where the North Wales International Music Festival is held annually, and the HM Stanley Hospital, former home to its namesake, the controversial Victorian adventurer and journalist. Following the fieldwork, the groups reassembled and discussed the international links they had found. These included links to Africa through the history of the HM Stanley Hospital, many global links from the International Music Festival, connections with Turkey and Poland from local shops and also links to New Zealand through the livestock market.
Esgob_Morgan_Network_Case_Study_final_doc.docx