Pupils nationwide were asked ‘How can geography help you?’. Pupils were encouraged to think about how geography, be it through the knowledge you learn, understanding you gain, or skills you develop, helps you across different parts of your life. The competition is run by the Society in conjunction with Geographical Magazine and supported by Ordnance Survey, Stanfords, Philip’s and Cotswold Outdoors.
The awards were presented to pupils by writer, broadcaster and geographer Nicholas Crane in a ceremony at the Society’s headquarters in Kensington, London. The overall category winners are:
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9-11 years: Beth Green, St Paulinus Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
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11-14 years: Ben Waller, Cardinal Newman Catholic School
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14-16 years: Victoria Synek Herd, Colyton Grammar School
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16-18 years: Sophie Catherine Topp, St Helen and St Katharine
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Rex Walford Award (new or student teachers): Becki Quigley, The McAuley Catholic Voluntary Academy
Three highly commended awards were also made in each of the school categories (see Notes to Editors).
Pupils in the three youngest categories (9-11 years, 11-14 years and 14-16 years) were asked to submit an annotated diagram or map. 16-18 year olds were asked to write a 1,500 word essay which could include illustrations, maps or graphs.
The Rex Walford Award is awarded to a student teacher or a newly qualified teacher. Entries for this award answered the same question as the pupils, but took the form of lesson notes or a scheme of work covering a series of lessons.
Commenting on the winners, Steve Brace, RGS-IBG Head of Education and Outdoor Learning, said: “In answering the question ‘How can geography help you?’ our winners showed real geographical ability. Their high quality entries demonstrated the relevance of geography to many aspects of their lives, be it at the local or global scale.”
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Notes to Editors
1. Photos of of the winners are available for media use. For photos contact the RGS-IBG Communications and Media Office on +44 (0)20 7591 3019 or press@rgs.org.
2. Young Geographer of the Year is run by The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and Geographical Magazine. The competition began in 2000 and has become a regular feature on many schools' calendars. Announced in the July edition of the magazine, the competition is open to young geographers throughout the UK and Europe under the age of 19 years. The prizes were kindly sponsored by Geographical Magazine, Ordnance Survey, Philip’s, Stanfords and Cotswold Outdoor.
3. The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830, our Royal Charter of 1859 is for 'the advancement of geographical science'. Today, we deliver this objective by developing, supporting and promoting geography through research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, and public engagement, while also providing geographical input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection and provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and membership and offer the professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer' www.rgs.org
4. Winning and highly commended entries to Young Geographer of the Year can be viewed at www.rgs.org/ygoty2014
- 9-11 years (Key Stage 2)
- Winner: Beth Green, St Paulinus Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy, Guisborough,
- Redcar and Cleveland
- Highly commended: Yusuf Baig, Colet Court, London
- Highly commended: Flurina Briner, British School Muscat, Oman
- Highly commended: Prithu Menon, Manchester Grammar School, Manchester
- 11-14 years (Key Stage 3)
- Winner: Ben Waller, Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Hove, East Sussex
- Highly commended: Annie Hine, Withington Girls’ School, Manchester
- Highly commended: Anisha Mehta, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Watford,
- Hertfordshire
- Highly commended: Kirsten Rachman, King Edward VI High School for Girls,
- Birmingham, West Midlands
- 14-16 years (GCSE)
- Winner: Victoria Synek Herd, Colyton Grammar School, Colyton, Devon
- Highly commended: Adam Davis, Sandown Bay Academy, Sandown, Isle of Wight
- Highly commended: Charlotte O’Neill, Imberhorne School, East Grinstead, West Sussex
- Highly commended: Robert Saunt, Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough,
- Leicestershire
- 16-18 years (A Level)
- Winner: Sophie Catherine Topp, St Helen and St Katharine, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
- Highly commended: Josephine Armstrong, Durham Johnston School, Durham
- Highly commended: Maitanki Sutharson, Watford Grammar School for Girls, Watford,
- Hertfordshire
- Highly commended: Emily Young, King’s College School, London
- The Rex Walford Award was awarded to Becki Quigley, The McAuley Catholic Voluntary Academy, Doncaster, South Yorkshire