The role of geography in education in England and Wales

Abstract

Geography within England and Wales has undergone several important changes since its development as a school and university subject during the 19th century. The 1960s were an especially important period of major change with the introduction of scientific, conceptual elements to the field. Those changes were accompanied by several curriculum projects of national scope that brought the new geography to the classroom. In the 1980s, geography was recognized as a foundation subject, giving it renewed importance within the curriculum of the secondary schools. Government intervention has increased within most aspects of education, especially with regard to examinations and training for employment, thus placing greater strains upon the teaching force. Within the general framework of education, geography provides a unique perspective. As a discipline, it infuses a global dimension at the macro-level and a sense of place at the micro-level. That perspective is important since it bridges general knowledge of the discipline to social and environmental issues at various scales.