About David
Dr David Preece is Head of Geography for Teach First, leading on curriculum and teacher development in Initial Teacher Education in Geography across England.
A former secondary Geography teacher and Head of Department, he taught in London for over a decade. He read Geography at the University of Oxford, before completing a PhD in climate change at University College London, and an MA in Education while teaching. He specialised in physical geography, serving as a Cambridge examiner on the International A Level, and has previously been an examiner for Edexcel IGCSE. Having worked in various roles as a Sixth Form tutor, EPQ lead, and Head of UCAS, he is experienced in advising and supporting university admissions for geography and wider preparation for competitive applications to Oxford & Cambridge. He qualified as an Level 5 coach in 2025.
He is a Fellow and Chartered Geographer (Teacher) of Royal Geographical Society, is a current assessor on the programme, and has previously served as a Trustee of the Society on the Education Committee. Together with serving on the Editorial Board of Routes Journal, R Met Soc Education Committee, and the GA’s Teacher Education Phase Committees, he has worked with and published through the RGS-IBG and Geographical Association. His forthcoming book on Secondary Geography in Action is due to be published by Hachette/John Catt in late 2025.
As well as his academic work in Geography, he is an accredited Climate Ambassador for the Climate Interactive EN-ROADS scheme, with experience in facilitating workshops and mock COP simulations for a range of environments including schools, universities and corporate clients. He is a DfE-accredited STEM/Climate Ambassador, with experience in supporting a range of schools with sustainability and Climate Action Plan development and compliance.
Support is offered for the following Key Stages:
- Secondary (Key Stages 3-5), including support with applications to university and Oxbridge admissions in Geography for students, and departmental leadership and management strategies for HoDs/aspiring HoDs.
- Initial Teacher Education provision, curriculum and mentoring.
What can David offer to schools?
- Subject Knowledge and Bespoke CPDs; offering insight, experience and guest discussions on a range of topics for schools, teachers and trainees/ITE providers, with particular emphasis on physical geography, weather and climate, and climate change.
- UCAS and Oxbridge preparation for students/departments: helping students and teachers to understand the process, and offering bespoke application support and interview preparation and guidance.
- Curriculum and assessment planning: support in designing, reviewing or reflecting on your curriculum, to ensure that it is coherent, powerful and serving your context and community.
- Mentor development and coaching: individual support, coaching and advice for those involved in mentoring and training teachers and ECTs.
- Department Leadership for current/aspiring HoDs: individual support, coaching and advice available for HoDs who would benefit from discussions about leadership, aspiration and how to manage a department.
- Support with resource writing, editing, creating: drawing on a range of writing and resource creation experience.
Format of sessions
David is happy to offer online sessions.
Some in-person support in London and the South East may be available by request.
Pricing
Education consultancy, support with curriculum or ITE, or subject knowledge is typically not offered for profit.
If in-person, covering travel expenses is appreciated.
For other aspects of work, a small fee may be charged as appropriate.
Other consultancy services offered by David
- Expert input as an EN-ROADS Climate Ambassador: workshops, lectures and sessions designed to stimulate engagement and discussion with key stakeholder simulations, using state of the art tools to model global climate politics. You can time this for wider events like the COP conferences, or as part of your wider sustainability strategy and Action Plans.
- Expert and accredited DfE Climate Ambassador: supporting with Climate Action Plans, sustainability and supporting progress and compliance, in a range of settings for schools, leadership, executive and finance teams and teaching staff.
How to contact David
You can contact David via LinkedIn, his website, or find him on BlueSky.
