Geographical Association

What is the GA?
What does the GA do?
Who runs the GA?
Who are the GA's members?
How did the GA begin?
Where is the GA based?

What is the GA?

The Geographical Association (GA) is a subject association with the core objective of furthering geographical knowledge and understanding through education. It is a lively community of practice with over a century of innovation behind it and an unrivalled understanding of geography teaching. Teachers join the GA for the professional support and materials they need for the classroom. Most use the extensive website and many take part in face-to-face or electronic networking opportunities. Some enjoy closer involvement by volunteering for special interest groups or sharing their skills and experiences at events.

Membership is an expression of support and helps the GA in its key mission to ensure geography continues to contribute effectively to the education of all children and young people. The Geographical Association is a registered charity (number 1135148) constituted as a company limited by guarantee (number 07139068) and its core activities are financed by membership subscriptions.


What does the GA do?

Geography subject leadership - The GA develops geography subject leadership at all levels, from new teachers during their initial training, to geography co-ordinators in primary schools, to secondary heads of department.

Key geography resources - The GA publishes a wide range of resources from Early Years through to Post-16, including the popular Barnaby Bear materials, primary and secondary Handbooks, SuperSchemes and KS3 Toolkit series. In addition, three professional journals are published on a termly basis - Primary Geography, Teaching Geography and Geography.

CPD events - Every year the GA runs an extensive programme of CPD events across the country, including the ever popular Annual Conference.

Funded projects - Over a number of years the GA has established itself as a leading force in the development of innovative geography projects in partnership with a variety of high profile funders. Since 2006 the GA and RGS-IBG have jointly led the government funded Action Plan for Geography - further information is available on the Geography Teaching Today website.

Campaigning for geography - The GA engages with policy makers and government ministers to constantly make the case for geography, with a heavy involvement in curriculum reviews and DfE consultations.


Who runs the GA?

A dedicated body of professional staff, based at our Sheffield headquarters, runs the GA under the leadership of its elected officers and appointed Chief Executive. The GA is overseen by two main committees, giving strong representation to the members. These committees are the Governing Body and the Education Committee (the policy 'think tank').

Governing Body - The Governing Body has overall responsibility for the GA and its current and future well-being. As charity Trustees and company Directors, members of the Governing Body are responsible for the prudent stewardship of the Association's financial resources, in accordance with current law and the GA's objectives.

Education Committee - The Education Committee formulates the educational policy of the GA and ensures that provision is made for all aspects of geographical education. It oversees three sub-committees, up to ten Special Interest Groups and seven Communications Boards.


Who are the GA's members?

The GA has approximately 6000 memberships including both personal and institutional members. These include primary and secondary teachers, PGCE students, teacher educators, academics, geography students, infant, primary and secondary schools, colleges, universities, academies, libraries, societies, museums and businesses. Despite being a UK based organisation, we have members in more than 60 countries and have strong links with geographical organisations in the USA, Australia and Europe.


How did the GA begin?

The Geographical Association was formed by five geographers in 1893 and remains an independent association. The first members got together to use and exchange lantern slides, a leading technology of the day. Today, the GA's purpose is the same - sharing ideas and learning from each other, using the best available technology.

Download this Chronological History of the GA for an overview of the key people, achievements, places and events between 1893 and 2011.

Where is the GA based?

The GA has a single Headquarters building in Solly Street, close to the centre of Sheffield. The GA has been based in Sheffield since 1950, at first in offices in Duke Street public library, generously provided free of charge by Sheffield City Council. In 1964 the GA moved to a large house in Fulwood Road, rented from the University of Sheffield. The GA moved to its present building in 1997, initially renting from a private landlord. The GA bought 160 Solly Street in 2010 and thus became the owner of its own Headquarters building for the first time.

Please feel free to download and share the PowerPoint Presentation below which outlines the work of the GA and the benefits of becoming a member: