GeogPod

Episode #90: Robert Swan and Jenny Cooke – Save Antarctica

In this episode of GeogPod John talks to Robert Swan, who walked to both the North and South Pole, and Jenny Cooke, Founder of Oddizzi.

John asks what inspired Robert to become a polar pioneer and climate change ambassador. They discuss his Antarctic journey’s difficulties, the beauty, the clear evidence of climate change and the dangers. In 2022 Robert invited Jenny on an expedition to the Antarctic Peninsula where they hosted a webinar for 40,000 children. Find out about this project, the 2041 treaty, and how important it is to inspire students and make them fall in love with Antarctica so they are passionate about saving it in future.

Resources

• https://www.oddizzi.com/
• www.2041School.com
• https://www.robertswan.com/
• https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_swan_let_s_save_the_last_pristine_continent

Episode #89: Anthony Barlow - Shared experiences in primary geography

In this episode, John talks to Anthony Barlow, Principal Lecturer and the subject leader for Geography Education at the University of Roehampton.

Primary education is a precious time for children to spend time with each other, time in their locality and time with their teacher guiding them and letting them explore. That's the crucial point - from 'sustained shared thinking', to focused, framed and facilitated enquiries (Garner, Pickford and Jackson, 2013) as they get older, spending time outside, there is value and power in the repeated visit.

Get your children outside, don't be scared by fieldwork - you might be surprised by how much looking through the window, circling the school buildings and walking your local perimeter can actually tell you about what they see, hear and think about your local geographies. Coaches are not always needed!

Episode #88: Karen Corfield - Connections and memories to place

In this episode John Lyon talks to Karen Corfield, Education Development Consultant and Safeguarding Lead at Discover the World Education. A few topics discussed in this episode are: Iceland and Icelandic guides, GA Annual Conference, mentoring and inspirational teachers, fieldwork, connections and memories to place, and what your third place is.

Resources

Discover the World Education
Costa Rica trip information
Free CPD Workshops 

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education.

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #87: Alice Gadney – What's your favourite map? Tracing subject connections

John Lyon chats with Alice Gadney in this episode of GeogPod. Alice is a cartographer and also known as Captain Alice, founder of Mini Map-Makers. They discuss many topics, including: her PGCE; William Smith; Steve Backshall; ‘The Hobbit’; Mini Map-Makers; inspiring children with maps from primary age; and of course, their favourite maps.

Resources

https://minimapmakers.com/

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education.

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #86: Jess Hill – Championing primary geography and embracing change

In this episode of GeogPod, John is joined by Jess Hill, Deputy Head at Alwoodley Primary School in Leeds. 

They talk about how the geography curriculum at the school has grown and changed over time, to reflect the children and families at the school as well as empower the staff teaching the subject.

The episode also discusses the Primary Geography Quality Mark, the school's Gold Hub status and how to promote whole-school approaches to geography through effective CPD.

Finally they look into practical ideas for fieldwork, building a geography club and how to get children learning 'through the soles of their feet.'

 

Resources

• The Primary Geography Quality Mark
• 2041 School Champions of Antarctica
• Oddizzi school resources

Find Alwoodley Primary School on X: Alwoodley Primary School

 

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education.

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #85: Catherine Walker – Climate action research and advocacy

In this episode John talks to Catherine Walker, Newcastle University Academic Track Fellow in Human Geography. They discuss her background and a wide range of topics including: how you can become a geographer in different ways; travel; cultures and landscapes; geography through stories; social science; climate change and climate justice.

Resources:

• Opportunities, complexities, and challenges in collaboration between school and university geography, GA Blog.
• Coffee and geography, episode 407 with Kit Rackley and Catherine Walker.
• Geogramblings website
• Young People at a Crossroads resources including the free book, teacher guide and more.
• Young People at a Crossroads — illustrations by Maisy Summer
• What role for geography in justice-focused climate change education? Geography, Volume 109, Issue 3 (2024)

 

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education.

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #84: Steve Brace - Meet the GA’s Chief Executive

This episode, John is joined by GA Chief Executive Steve Brace to discuss: what inspired him to pursue geography; a brief overview of the GA; the different routes into geography; the independent review of Curriculum and Assessment; and his top 4 priority areas of interest for the future.

Here are a few resources mentioned in this episode:

Curriculum and Assessment Review – Department for Education

The GA’s review responses summary

Geographers in the House of Commons – careers poster

Geographers in media – careers poster

GA Subject Knowledge Scholar Programme

GA Online Teaching Resources

GA Journals

GA Events & CPD

GA Annual Conference 2025

Sustainability and climate change strategy – Department for Education

Defra Risk of Flooding from Surface Water Data

OS Open Rivers

ARCGIS - UK Rivers Atlas - ESRI

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #83: Black History Month with Pat, James & Francisca

In a special episode to celebrate Black History Month we join Professor Pat Noxolo from the University of Birmingham, Professor James Esson from Queen Mary University of London and Francisca Rockey, founding member of Black Geographers.

They discuss the intersections between race, gender and class that affect young people today. Topics include how to navigate complex ideas in a complex world, the importance of recognising different narratives, and the possibilities for change, revealed by the amazing work done by geography teachers.

Anti-racist work has been a means of support, comradeship and helping keep hold of talented people. Here are a few of the groups and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Black Geographers 
• Salaam Geographia
• Geography Workshop
• Race, Culture and Equality Working Group
• American Association of Geographer
• Black Geographies
• Decolonising geography website & X (formerly Twitter)
• FI WI ROAD
• Black History Month

 

Series 14 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Discover the World Education

'As the only tour operator who is a strategic partner of the GA, we're big believers in supporting teachers both in and outside the classroom. From our unforgettable geography trips to our award-winning resources and accredited CPD sessions, for us there’s nothing more rewarding than creating shared experiences that bring learning to life.'

Episode #82: Sabeeha Bhatti - Art, empathy and inspiration

John is joined in this episode by Sabeeha Bhatti, a teacher in her second year working in a school in West London.

Sabeeha talks about how she got into geography teaching and how her personal passions and identity contribute to her teaching style. 

They discuss the impact of inspirational teachers, the benefits of using art in the classroom to exemplify change and how working in a diverse area with a changing population can foster empathy in students.

 

Resources

In the episode they look at a number of artworks, including: 

The Seven Rages of Man which appeared as part of Outside Narration, curated by Keith Piper, at the Graves Art Gallery in Sheffield from September 2021 to December 2023.
Works by L.S. Lowry including Coming from the Mill and Going to the Match.

Frida Kahlo's Self Portrait Along the Border Line Between Mexico and the United States.

Thomas Cole's The Oxbow.

Find Sabeeha on X: @MissSBhatti

 

Series 13 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Rayburn Tours.

For over 60 years, Rayburn Tours have been creating tailor-made school geography trips to destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond that inspire, motivate and enhance student understanding. Their expert team craft incredible itineraries of excursions and activities, with the added option of a geographical Field Study Tutor and on-tour resources. The best way to learn is through adventure!

Episode #81: Dr Evelyn Wandia Corrado - Challenging perspectives and stereotypes

In episode 81 our host John Lyon talks to Dr. Evelyn Wandia Corrado, a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at University of Roehampton. They discuss her childhood in Kenya, the community and education systems as well as challenging perspectives and stereotypes, inclusive practice and pedagogy and the importance of engaging parents and including more representation in classes.

Resources

• View Evelyn's Roehampton profile
• View the Primary Geography article 'Decolonising geography to unshackle the representation of Africa'

Series 13 of GeogPod is kindly sponsored by Rayburn Tours.

For over 60 years, Rayburn Tours have been creating tailor-made school geography trips to destinations in the UK, Europe and beyond that inspire, motivate and enhance student understanding. Their expert team craft incredible itineraries of excursions and activities, with the added option of a geographical Field Study Tutor and on-tour resources. The best way to learn is through adventure!