Young Geographers of the Year announced

‘Young Geographer of the Year’ is a national competition run by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) to encourage pupils to engage with geographical issues. Each year, the competition receives entries from thousands of pupils from hundreds of schools. This year’s ‘Young Geographer of the Year’ competition was an opportunity for geography pupils to answer the question: ‘Where can geography take you?’

Steve Brace, the Society’s Head of Education and Outdoor Learning, said: “We were very impressed with the overwhelming quality and the sheer volume of entries to this year’s Young Geographer of the Year Competition, with over 15,000 pupils taking part from 100s of schools across the UK and beyond.  We were looking for original and detailed answers to this year’s question of ‘where can geography take you?’ and we’re sure that our winners have great geographical futures ahead of them.”

Professor Joe Smith, Director of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), said: “Geography plays a crucial role in understanding our world, and is a subject that's constantly adapting to change. It is dynamic and relevant, and provides people with a multitude of opportunities. We’re delighted to see so many pupils considering where geography can take them; be it to a particular place, onto a particular career path or understanding the many challenges facing our world. The standard was exceptionally high and the work was produced in such a thoughtful and knowledgeable way. Congratulations to all who took part.”

Young Geographer of the Year recognises the best entries across four categories: Key Stage 2 (pupils aged 9-11); Key Stage 3 (11-14); Key Stage 4 or GCSE (14-16); and Key Stage 5 or A Level (16-18). Pupils in the first three categories were asked to submit an annotated diagram or poster, while A Level pupils were asked to submit a 1,500 word essay, which could include illustrations, maps or graphs.

The Rex Walford Award, which runs alongside Young Geographer of the Year, recognises teachers currently completing their teacher training or who have just started their careers.

They were asked to produce an innovative and engaging scheme of work on the same question, covering at least three lessons.

The awards were presented to the winning and highly commended pupils at an awards ceremony at the Society on Tuesday 12 November.

The category winners are:

• 9-11 years: Aleena Bennett – Croydon High School Juniors

• 11-14 years: Catherine James – Lady Eleanor Holles School

• 14-16 years: Jessica Barber – Wales High School

• 16-18 years: Victoria Caddick – Ormiston Sheffield Community Academy

• Rex Walford Award: Victoria Pellant – Torquay Boys Grammar School

The Young Geographer of the Year competition is run by the Society in conjunction with Geographical magazine and is kindly supported by Esri UK, Ordnance Survey, Stanfords, Philip’s Atlases and Cotswold Outdoors.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For further media enquiries and interview requests, please contact Lucy Preston, the Society’s Press Officer, at press@rgs.org or 020 7591 3019.

2. Image 1 caption: WINNERS AND HIGHLY COMMENDED ENTRANTS - Top row (from left to right): Victoria Pellant; Louise Curtin; Raei Khan; Iona Benvie; Naimah Begum and Victoria Caddick. Middle row (from left to right): Benjamin Li; Dhara Thacker; Sabine Singh; Sophia Bremen; Catherine James and Katie Tooher. Bottom row (from left to right): Dwayne Fields (Guest Speaker); Josie Lawn; Aleena Bennett; Fergus de Mestre; Rishabh Roy; Jessica Barber and Wendy Walford (Rex Walford Award presenter). © Panel8 Photography

Image 2 caption: Young Geographer of the Year KS4 Winner, Jessica Barber © Panel8 Photography

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 through developing, supporting and promoting geographical research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, public engagement, and geography 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.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 Esri UK, Ordnance Survey, Philip’s Atlases, Stanfords and Cotswold Outdoor.

5. Winning and highly commended entries to Young Geographer of the Year 2019 can be viewed at www.rgs.org/ygoty

6. A full table of winners is displayed below: