Farlington awarded Geography Quality Mark

News

Farlington School has been awarded the Secondary Geography Quality Mark (SGQM) by the Geographical Association in recognition of excellence in teaching and learning in Geography.

The Secondary Geography Quality Mark is a prestigious award which recognises and promotes quality and progress in geography leadership, curriculum development and learning and teaching in schools. It is recognised nationally and internationally, and is valid for three years.

Farlington is one of just 24 schools globally to be awarded the Secondary Geography Quality Mark in 2020. The process is a rigorous one, and schools are assessed on a number of challenging criteria, including quality of geographical education; how this education shapes behaviour, attitudes and values; how it supports students’ personal development; and how geography education is led and managed within the school. The department is required to provide evidence to demonstrate excellence across all these areas.

Nicky Edgar, Head of Geography at Farlington School, comments: ‘I am absolutely thrilled to have successfully led the Geography Department through the Secondary Geography Quality Mark. To be awarded the prestigious mark of quality for excellence in geographical teaching and learning, is testament to the dedication and enthusiasm of the Geography Department at Farlington School over the past 18 months.’

Caroline Newell, Head of the Social Sciences faculty at the school, adds: ‘The Geography Department plays a crucial role in leading innovative and creative learning and teaching best practice across the faculty of Social Sciences and the wider school. Nicky and her team have cultivated an inspiring curriculum, which engages students both within lessons and outside the classroom. It is fantastic that this has been recognised at the highest level.’

Headmistress Louise Higson also added her congratulations to the Geography Department: ‘I am delighted and so proud that the Farlington Geography department has been awarded the Secondary Geography Quality Mark. It is testament to the dedication and commitment of Nicky Edgar and her team, whose inspirational teaching makes Geography at Farlington come alive!’

Geography students at the School were also keen to add their thoughts about how the subject is taught.Varsha, an A Level Geography student commented: ‘Geography is a subject that I find inspiring and intriguing due to the complex interrelationship between people and the physical environment. What attracted me to studying Geography at Farlington, was the enthusiasm shown by the teachers when attending the Open Days. I believe the best teachers are those who have a real passion for the subject they teach, and I felt that was clearly evident with Mrs Edgar and Mr Smith.’

Fellow A Level Geographer Ben said: ‘At A level the topics studied involve both human and physical geography, and this enables me to engage with some of the most critical challenges facing the world
today. I chose to study Geography at Farlington School following a series of Pre-A Level taster lessons organised by the Geography Department during lockdown. The interactive style of teaching really attracted me to studying the subject at Farlington. I also knew previous students who studied Geography at Farlington School, and they were extremely positive about their experiences! The Geography Department at Farlington certainly has a very positive reputation in the local area.’

In awarding this prestigious accolade, Alan Parkinson from the National Moderation Team for the Geographical Association said: ‘The evidence showed a department that is always looking for opportunities to develop further, even though it is one with a great deal of prior teaching experience.’

Based just outside Horsham, West Sussex, Farlington is an independent day and boarding school for children aged 4-18. It was awarded Top A Level School West Sussex in the Smaller Schools League Table (August 2018) and shortlisted for Prep School of the Year 2018 in Independent School Parent Magazine.