GA Conference and Exhibition 2025: Full Schedule

Welcome to the GA’s online programme for the Annual Conference and Exhibition 2025! Take some time to explore the programme and build a personalised schedule using the full list below, or find the best sessions for you using the filter options. Keep an eye on this programme for updates and to interact with other delegates, exhibitors and sponsors. For more information on the Conference, see the GA website.

2:00pm PDT

Exploring Bicester: a town of change

Tuesday April 15, 2025 2:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Bicester

This field visit will take you on a walking tour of Bicester, exploring some of the sites that make it an interesting case study of urban change. We'll visit: Graven Hill, the UK's largest self-build estate; a restaurant that supports population control in Thailand; and, of course, Bicester Village, the second most visited location in the UK by Chinese tourists after Buckingham Palace.

Speakers

Dr Rebecca Kitchen

Head of Professional Development, Geographical Association

I have worked at the Geographical Association for 9 years and am currently the Head of Professional Development. Prior to this, I was Head of Geography at a girls' grammar school for 16 years where I was awarded the Ordnance Survey Award for contributions to Geography in Secondary... Read More →

Tuesday April 15, 2025 2:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Bicester Bicester Village, 6HB, Station Approach, Bicester

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS4, Post-16, Early Career Teacher

3:00pm PDT

Fieldwork connections: the role of games and challenges in fieldwork for young people LIMITED

Tuesday April 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Oxford Centre

The role of fun and games are often overlooked in field trips, but they're powerful tools in connecting students to their environment and exploring the process of scientific enquiry. This session looks to spend time in an urban centre and examine how such activities can enthuse students and enhance their understanding of fieldwork, in preparation for more formal assessment of these skills.

Speakers

Ollie Davies

Teacher, Ardingly College

Ollie studied undergraduate Geography at University College, London, and at postgraduate level at the University of Oxford, where he gained an MSc in Environmental Geomorphology. He entered the teaching profession through TeachFirst and taught at Loxford School in East London before... Read More →

Tuesday April 15, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Oxford Centre Oxford Station, Park End St, Oxford OX1 1HS

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS2, KS3

9:00am PDT

Connecting the fieldwork curriculum LIMITED

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am PDT

205

The aim of this session is to consider how a fieldwork curriculum can be planned so that it's integral to and inextricable from secondary students' geographical experience and learning. The focus will be on connections to the rest of the geography curriculum, connections between years, connections in terms of skills development and the geographical enquiry process, and connections that lead to more positive outcomes for students' enquiries at GCSE and A level.

Speakers

Joanne Clarke

Head of Geography, Queen Anne's School

- OneNote for delivering learning- Augmented reality sandbox- human geography A Level- abandoned places

Wednesday April 16, 2025 9:00am - 9:50am PDT
205 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS4

11:30am PDT

30 strategies that connect students to top NEA grades

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT

206

If we could isolate and study the top scoring NEA submissions, what would we find that makes them stand out from others? What techniques do some students use to really set themselves apart? This session will reveal 30 approaches that top-scoring NEA students consistently use to connect their studies to the highest possible marks.

Speakers

Chloe Searl

Independent Field Studies Tutor, The Island Geographer

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT
206 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage Post-16

11:30am PDT

Connecting with trees

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT

Executive suite

Discover how trees can enrich your curriculum, fostering hands-on learning, fieldwork, GIS and environmental stewardship. Gain practical ideas for projects and activities that connect students with nature and challenge them to think about how the trees in your school site/local area connect to larger concepts such as sustainability and climate change.

Speakers

Martin Sutton

Lecturer in Geography Education and Secondary School Teacher, University of Reading and the Holt School

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT
Executive suite Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS3, KS4, Post-16, Early Career Teacher

3:30pm PDT

Should regeneration be national or local? Eden Project Morecambe

Wednesday April 16, 2025 3:30pm - 4:20pm PDT

202

This session will investigate Morecambe and its plans to turn itself around. Will Eden Project Morecambe achieve its aim of reimagining the resort for the 21st Century? Does the Queens Market Project provide a better local solution? How can fieldwork be used to investigate Morecambe as a case study, as well as other regeneration projects throughout the UK?

Speakers

Katy Dowdall

Tutor, Field Studies Council

Wednesday April 16, 2025 3:30pm - 4:20pm PDT
202 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS4, Post-16

4:20pm PDT

Developing global connections: bringing the outside world in

Wednesday April 16, 2025 4:20pm - 5:10pm PDT

207

This workshop will explore how we can make international connections from our classrooms and through travel. We'll consider how barriers to carrying out international fieldwork can be overcome, and discuss issues related to sustainable travel. Practical activities will include using resources from GA Study Tours, discussing fieldwork scenarios and evaluating the sustainability of travel for learning.

Speakers

Catherine Owen

Chair of International Special Interest Group

Amy Case

Head of Geography, Latymer Upper School

Wednesday April 16, 2025 4:20pm - 5:10pm PDT
207 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS2, KS3, KS4, Post-16

11:30am PDT

Connecting the 'what' with the 'why' of fieldwork

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT

205

Want your students to be fantastic at fieldwork? We'll share simple activities and quality questions to help your students connect what they do in your existing fieldwork with why you've chosen to do it that way. Teach them the thinking behind your decisions in KS3 and GCSE fieldwork so that they're ready to make their own in the A level NEA.

Speakers

Jill Owens

Fieldwork Tutor, Cranedale Centre

I've been working with young people for over 20 years, starting as a 'Group Leader' for PGL at the age of 18, spending 7 years teaching Geography in secondary school classrooms and now working outdoors as a Fieldwork Tutor for the Cranedale Centre in Yorkshire.I hope the things I... Read More →

Thursday April 17, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm PDT
205 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS3, KS4, Post-16

2:00pm PDT

Making connections in the NEA

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT

205

This workshop examines ways in which students can make connections between their own research and wider geographical theory. We'll discuss how focusing on suitable place/space theory allows students to progress beyond the comparison of two locations or 'to what extent has regeneration been successful' titles. We'll also consider misconceptions and best practice in literature research.

Speakers

Andy Owen

Author, self-employed

I am an author of geography resources for both students and teachers. I have written for all key stages and all aspects of geography teaching but my recent work has focussed on fieldwork and geomorphology for teachers and GCSE and A level students. I have considerable experience with... Read More →

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT
205 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS4

2:00pm PDT

Using technology to connect with geographical fieldwork

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT

206

Turning the mobile phone from a hinderance to an aid! This session will explore how embracing apps and digital practices can support learning in the field, engage students with their surroundings and connect them to the wider world of geography. It will aid you with the tools to take the textbook out of the classroom.

Speakers

Em Kendall

Senior Tutor, Field Studies Council

Grace Phillips

Digital Training Officer and Senior Tutor, Field Studies Council

Thursday April 17, 2025 2:00pm - 2:50pm PDT
206 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS4, Post-16

3:00pm PDT

Strategic trip planning with purpose

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:00pm - 3:25pm PDT

205

Geography trips often limit themselves to local fieldwork or Iceland residencies. This session proposes strategic trip planning that integrates multiple subjects; I'll also discuss approaches encouraging educators to expand their horizons. Virtual fieldwork will illustrate how technology can transform learning, bringing distant locales vividly to life and enriching students' global perspectives.

Speakers

Simon Bannister

Head of Geography, Wycombe Abbey

Thursday April 17, 2025 3:00pm - 3:25pm PDT
205 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage KS2, KS3, KS4, Post-16

4:20pm PDT

Connecting farming with geography teaching

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:20pm - 5:10pm PDT

203

Opportunities exist to gain insight into how farmers are tackling global issues such as carbon emissions, water quality, sustainability and food security. Farmers' decisions are influenced by their physical and changing human environment; the aim is to create a relevant farm visit with active learning experiences to gather environmental data while developing place connections and understanding the farmed landscape.

Speakers

Dr Alison Brown

Farmer (former geography teacher and researcher)

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:20pm - 5:10pm PDT
203 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage All KS

4:20pm PDT

Planning for progression in fieldwork 5–19

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:20pm - 5:10pm PDT

202

The launch of the GA's fieldwork progression framework, a collaboration between FOLSIG and AESIG, will support teachers in thinking through the interlinked process of curriculum planning, progression and assessment of fieldwork. It explores the role of fieldwork in supporting students' first-hand investigations of places, making sense of the connections between people, places and environments.

Speakers

Chloe Searl

Independent Field Studies Tutor, The Island Geographer

David Gardner

Education consultant, Geographical Association

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:20pm - 5:10pm PDT
202 Oxford Brookes University,Headington Rd, Headington, Oxford OX3 0BP

Fieldwork

Key Stage All KS