Geography matters

Our extensive research with teachers shows that covering the subject content in the time available for GCSE Geography is still a key challenge for teachers. Currently the subject content includes six core topics, each with a substantial amount of prescribed content, a requirement to study the geography of the UK, fieldwork investigations, and geographical skills. 

We believe the breadth of subject content and level of prescription within topics should be reduced. 

We believe young people should have more opportunities to study up-to-date and balanced content about 21st century challenges that affect their lives. This is echoed in our Pearson School Report and throughout our research with geography teachers and students. 

We think the terminology associated with climate change needs bringing up to date and the subject content needs to have more of a balance across the causes of climate change, the possible consequences, and what actions we can take. 

Ensuring our Geography qualifications are inclusive and representative is a priority for us. We've worked with independent experts and senior examiners to review our qualifications, making amendments to specification language, terminology and place exemplification. 

We believe more needs to be done in updating the subject content so that it is culturally responsive, with improved representation, more diverse perspectives, and increased opportunities for content to be relevant to students’ lives.