GA Annual Conference 2026

This session will consider how to design a new, decolonised KS3 geography curriculum that centres representation and equity, and why that makes a difference. We will explore using contemporary sources and indigenous voices to widen pupils’ world understanding, then model a KS3 audit with a worked example. Finally, we will deep-dive a biomes topic, exploring how climate zones shape culture without determinism.

Discover how iNaturalist can transform learning in schools and communities. This seminar explores how geography connects students with real scientists and conservation projects—locally and globally, including the Osa Conservation Centre. Learn how students of all ages can enhance fieldwork skills, deepen environmental understanding, and actively contribute to biodiversity research and conservation. You will leave the session with the project ready to go and all the resources needed to run it.

Empower learning. Inspire action. Make a real-world impact.

This session will explore how geographical information systems (GIS) can support English as an Additional Language (EAL) learners in developing map skills and geographical understanding. Drawing on research, it shares practical strategies, lesson sequences and assessment approaches to embed GIS meaningfully into teaching. The session aims to illustrate the positive difference a GIS-focused approach can generate for EAL, and all, pupils. 

In this session, the editorial team from the student journal Routes will share what they’ve learned about supporting high-quality geography through publishing sixth-form and undergraduate geography work, and what lessons we can share to ensure that geography is accessible and makes a difference for all.

Fieldwork is more than a curriculum requirement - it’s a powerful way to make geography real, relevant, and memorable for students. In this session, we’ll explore how hands-on experiences outside the classroom deepen understanding, spark curiosity, and build essential skills for life.

The aim of this session is to help teachers embed meaningful careers links into everyday lessons without adding to workload. The session will focus on quick, effective strategies to boost student drive and ambition that can be seamlessly integrated into existing schemes of work. By connecting subject content to real-world careers, we can help students see the relevance of their learning and raise aspirations.

This lecture will share emerging findings from the NERC-funded project ‘NetZeroED’. This research is generating new empirical data on climate change teaching in schools and then bringing these insights into dialogue with an interdisciplinary range of climate researchers. The vision of this research is to ensure the next generation receives transformational Net Zero education – empowering young people to lead equitable, positive change and make Net Zero a lived reality. Achieving Net Zero is arguably the defining challenge of the 21st century, and geography education holds immense – yet still underutilised – potential to make a difference and drive transformative change. Globally, climate change education is gaining momentum, often driven by students’ and teachers’ demands for transformative change. However, a significant gap remains between high-level curriculum policy commitments and the day-to-day reality in classrooms. As the quantity of climate change education balloons, there is growing urgency to address its quality. This lecture offers an opportunity to gain insight into the relationships between current teaching and climate science, and to reflect on opportunities for geography education to make a difference on a global scale.

Empower your students to contribute to national climate strategies through meaningful geographical enquiry. This workshop introduces how the National Education Nature Park can turn your school grounds into living laboratories, with practical activities you can take straight back to the classroom. You’ll explore curriculum‑ready resources, investigate real‑world environmental challenges using pupil‑friendly scenarios, and see how students’ biodiversity and carbon data feed into national research. We’ll also look at the Nature Park’s GIS and habitat‑mapping tools—setting the scene for the in‑depth session led by the National Education Nature Park team the following day. A perfect complementary workshop for anyone wanting to build confidence before attending Impactful fieldwork: learner‑led changes to school grounds on Friday

Have you ever seen a great idea in Primary Geography but aren't sure how to implement it in your school? This session will talk through how Simon put one such idea into practice in his school, complete with advice on what to do - and what not to do! There will be time to gather inspiration and plan how you might implement ideas in your own setting. This session is ideal for new subject leaders, curriculum leads or geography enthusiasts!

This session will explore practical strategies to engage young people in climate action using Another Way’s Power of 10 app. You’ll learn how to embed it into your curriculum, leverage geography for climate action and show students how they can make a difference. Support your school’s climate action plan through peer-led initiatives that inspire ownership and deliver real, sustainable change!

Find out more about the new GIS tool for primary geographers: National Geographic’s MapMaker. Created to allow teachers to integrate maps, satellite imagery, simulated weather and historical maps into their lessons, alongside stories and data from real National Geographic Explorers. Students can explore topics from climate and wildlife to culture and society, using intuitive tools that encourage curiosity and a sense of place. Hear from our pilot cohort of teachers about a range of uses, from EYFS to KS2.

Social and economic disadvantages pose significant barriers to young people’s access to higher education. How can we create ‘stepping stones’ for disadvantaged young people to explore career paths in the environmental sector through further and higher education in the subject? This workshop aims to share the early findings of the UKRI-funded BEYOND project (https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/per/?p=8674).

This session will introduce a teaching framework for primary teachers to integrate outdoor learning into their teaching of geography. It will demonstrate how the concepts taught in geography can make a difference in their own local environment and how their interaction with the processes taught within geography can make a difference. This hands-on approach can also make a difference to learners who struggle in the classroom and bring  learning to life for those who can't understand the real-life application of geography. Teachers will come away with a practical guide to using outdoor spaces to bring geographical concepts to life.