The Geographical Association has named Royal Hospital School in Suffolk as one of only 12 schools around the world to be honoured as a Centre of Excellence with its fun and creative approach to teaching.
Led by Head of Geography Harriet Izod-Miller, the department impressed with its ‘innovative teaching’ and bold approach to risky topics such as the Trump Border Wall. Its interactive approach to the latter led to lively debates and discussion, as well as all sorts of offshoot ideas including baking a border wall and Border Wall – the board game.
The award, which spans three years, also mentioned the school’s contemporary take on topics such as “Strictly Longshore Drift Dancing” and “River Speed Dating.” RHS was commended for its outreach scheme to support local schools, its regular Skype lessons with an Antarctic Research station and its success in getting high-profile outside speakers to talk to the pupils.
The Royal Hospital School was further presented with a Quality Mark for its teaching along with 30 other schools worldwide.
Commenting on the awards, Harriet Izod-Miller said: “I am immensely proud of the innovative, exciting and broad curriculum of both lessons and opportunities we offer all our students here at the Royal Hospital School. As a team, we have worked hard to find new, creative and often out-there ways to create passionate, engaged and well-informed geographers. Achieving the Quality Mark and Centre of Excellent Award is such an honour and testament to the brilliant geography department that exists here.”
Former RHS pupil and head girl, Kat Sladden, added: “For me, geography at RHS is where it all began and led me to study the very same subject at Cambridge, influencing my career and especially my work in international development. I’m delighted to see RHS receive this accolade and congratulations to all involved – including Mr Mann who I remember fondly.”