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 explore how Britain is changing.

Steve Brace, the Society’s Head of Education and Outdoor Learning, said:

“This year students explored geographical change from many different perspectives.

“We were incredibly impressed with the entries we received. Many focused on how Britain’s physical features are changing in response to a wide range of geographical processes, while others focused on social, cultural or political change.”

Dr Rita Gardner CBE, Director of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), said:

“With humans now being recognised as the driving influence on our environment, and at a time of significant social change, it’s more important than ever that the next generation of geographers are able to identify and analyse geographical change. We’re delighted to see so many pupils considering how Britain is changing in such a thoughtful and knowledgeable way.”

The Society’s Young Geographer of the Year competition recognises the best entries across four categories: Key Stage 2 (students 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.

In support of the competition, the Society asked a range of individuals to outline how they think Britain is changing. Short films of their responses can be seen on the How is Britain changing? webpage.

The awards were presented to the winning and highly commended pupils at an awards ceremony at the Society on Friday 25 November.

The overall category winners are:

• 9-11 years: Isabella Green; St Paulinus Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy, North Yorkshire
• 11-14 years: India Wood; St Helen and St Katharine, Oxfordshire
• 14-16 years: Katie Banks; Millais School, West Sussex 16-18 years: Hannah Thom; Skipton Girls' High School, North Yorkshire
• Rex Walford Award (new or student teachers): Richard Sutton; Sir Frederic Osborn School, Hertfordshire

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 and Cotswold Outdoors.

The 2016 competition theme is linked to the Society’s work to engage the public with how Britain’s urban, rural and managed landscapes are changing through its outdoor touring exhibition Britain from the Air and Discovering Britain walks, trails and views.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. For further media enquiries, including images of individual winners and interview requests, please contact the RGS-IBG’s Communications and Media Officer, Scott Edwards, at s.edwards@rgs.org or 020 7591 3019.

2. The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830 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

3. 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, Stanfords and Cotswold Outdoor.

4. Winning and highly commended entries to Young Geographer of the Year 2016 can be viewed at www.rgs.org/ygoty2016

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