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Jon Cannell

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Institution Geographical Association

Jon Cannell is Primary Curriculum Leader at the Geographical Association, the leading subject association for all teachers of geography. He taught at three primary schools in Norfolk, before spending eleven years at Tanglin Trust School, a 3-18 international school in Singapore. Jon was a classroom teacher for ten of those years in the junior school (800 on role), leading learning across the upper primary curriculum. 

The other year was spent out of the classroom as part of the outdoor education leadership team across the entire school, focusing on ensuring that a range of physical, mental, social and emotional activities and challenges were effectively led and managed to support and enhance the curriculum. Jon led academic, sports, discovery and service field trips across Asia, Australia and even back to the UK. 

During this time, Jon was able to gain a great insight in to how to create a curriculum, with geography at the core of many of the units of work, which is holistic, inclusive and above all relevant. Jon took a lead role in creating and developing a junior school award system to help prepare students for NYAA/Duke of Edinburgh awards. Each year group had the opportunity to build their co-operation and communication skills by completing a variety of activities which included: camping, visiting and hosting children from a special school, cooking, environmental studies, orienteering, fundraising, culminating in a year 6 service field trip to Cambodia.