Castle Rushen High School is celebrating after its geography department was rewarded a prestigious award.

The Castletown school was one of only 16 schools across the British Isles to be awarded The Geographical Association’s (GA) Secondary Geography Quality Mark (SGQM) and Centre of Excellence this year.

The SGQM recognises quality and progress in geography leadership, curriculum development and learning and teaching in schools.

All the award winners undergo a rigorous moderation process and Castle Rushen’s submission was selected by moderators as one of four that was particularly outstanding.

Emma Metcalfe, subject team leader for geography at CRHS, said: ’I am delighted that the geography department has been awarded the SGQM for a second time and thrilled to be awarded Centre of Excellence.

’We will continue to keep working hard to raise the standards of geography teaching and learning for students, as well as helping to raise the profile of geography and enjoyment of learning about the subject.

The SGQM recognises student attainment, progress and achievement in geographical knowledge, understanding, values and skills, and sets expectations about the quality of teaching in geography. It promotes effective subject leadership and management, helping subject leaders raise the standards of geography in their schools.

Rebecca Kitchen, secondary curriculum leader at the GA, said: ’It is vital for young people today to experience an engaging, relevant and quality geography curriculum which helps them to make sense of an increasingly interconnected world and to negotiate their place within it.

’Yet, in a time of curriculum change and performance indicators it is sometimes easy to lose sight of this.

’The SGQM enables schools to focus critically on what they are doing and why, in order to provide their young people with the knowledge and understanding they need to live in the modern world.’

The Centre of Excellence award recognises a school’s contribution to disseminating quality approaches to the teaching of geography, global learning and fieldwork. In these centres geography is managed by enthusiastic curriculum leaders who are able to inspire their colleagues.

CRHS head teacher Keith Winstanley said: ’This is wonderful news, testament to the progressive attitude and dedication of my colleagues in the geography area, particularly the subject leader, Emma Metcalfe.

I’m really pleased that their efforts have been recognised, and as a former full-time geography teacher, it means a great deal to be the head teacher at a centre of geographical excellence.

Adrian Cowin, chair of governors, said: ’This award recognises the hard work by members of the geography department and I am thrilled they have been given this award.’