IAPS National Geography Conference 2026

 IAPS National Geography Conference 2026

Peter King, who co-ordinates geography activity for the IAPS, has moved the date of the annual geography conference to Thursday 21 May 2026. This gives more time for people to book onto the event.

It will still be held at the lovely location of Beeston Hall on the north Norfolk coast, so we can take advantage of our location in the afternoon with a session on fieldwork led by Jon Cannell (Geographical Association).

The morning session will include a talk from Alan Parkinson (that’s me)…. (author, head of geography at King’s Ely Prep and Vice President: Education of the Royal Geographical Society) who will talk about curriculum development and Peter King will plan to share some ideas that have accelerated and improved learning in the classroom.

Here’s the title slide of my slide deck for my workshop. It will be modelled on my GeoLincs session from today.

We plan to kick off the day at 9.30am and finish around 4pm.

The cost of the day is £199 for IAPS members and £250 for non-member schools.

You can contact Peter King at the school, or click the link on the IAPS website.

GA ISSIG and other support...

The Geographical Association has a Special Interest Group (SIG) for members who teach in the Independent sector.

It's an element of the work that the GA does to support teachers across the country, and represents the views of those members who are in the Independent Sector of education. There are also some events which have particular relevance to this sector at the GA Conference every year, as well as at other times. I have worked on a number of projects with colleagues from this sector for more than five years now, as part of work supporting the GA, and other projects.

I think it is important to explore further connections between the independent and the state sector - indeed many connections already exist. I am already exploring further connections with other local Independent schools.

One of the things that the ISSIG produces is an annual (ish) newsletter.
I wrote an article for the most recent edition on the use of Apps in the Geography classroom.

Download the latest version, complete with my app article HERE (PDF download)

I have been supported by the ISSIG Chairman: Paul Baker over the last few years. He has involved me in a range of events, and also supports the IAPS: the Independent Association of Prep Schools, which has a network of local support. There will be some events in association with my new school and colleagues. I'll put details of these here in advance of the event.

I've also got some meetings with other teaching colleagues in the area pencilled in, to explore opportunities for co-operation and mutual support. This is a time of change at all Key Stages.

This will also connect with my work as a Primary Geography champion.

I shall be working in and around East Anglia to support colleagues where appropriate. Get in touch if you'd value an input of some kind into your planning for the new school year.