About RobÂ
Geography educator, curriculum specialist and consultant
I’m Rob, an experienced geography educator and consultant with a passion for great teaching and learning. For more than 25 years, I have worked in schools and across the wider education sector, supporting teachers, departments and school leaders to achieve their goals.
Â
My work focuses on curriculum design, subject leadership, professional development and assessment. I believe geography has the power to inspire curiosity, deepen understanding and equip young people to thrive in a complex and changing world.
Â
Through RobGeog Education, I work in partnership with schools and education organisations to strengthen curricula, develop teaching and create high-quality educational resources. My aim is always to provide thoughtful, practical support that responds to genuine needs and makes a real difference—in classrooms, across departments and throughout the wider education sector.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Studying Geography and becoming a teacher
My Professional Journey
I studied Geography at the University of Birmingham, graduating with a First Class BSc (Hons), before completing my Geography PGCE at the University of Cambridge
Developing as a Teacher and Leader
I began my career as a Geography teacher in 2000 and went on to work as an Advanced Skills Teacher and Lead Practitioner, supporting teachers and departments to strengthen teaching, curriculum design and professional practice, including the effective use of new technologies and online learning. I later became Head of Geography, where I led the department’s curriculum, assessment and professional development, including leading the department’s preparation for and introduction of the reformed GCSE and A Level specifications from 2015 onwards.
From academic study and classroom teaching to department, trust-wide and professional subject leadership.
Curriculum and trust-wide subject leadershipÂ
Most recently, I served for five years as National Geography Lead on the central team at Astrea Academies Trust, working across eight secondary schools in South Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire, each with its own context, priorities and challenges. I worked closely with Heads of Department, senior leaders and Principals, leading the development of Geography curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning, and professional development across the trust.
​
This included leading the design and implementation of a brand new knowledge-rich Key Stage 3 core curriculum, writing and developing a wide range of curriculum materials and products, including bookletised resources, teacher guidance and assessments, and establishing a SharePoint student hub for use by students across the trust.
​
My work also involved supporting departments to strengthen teaching and learning, including intellectual preparation, leading subject-specific professional development, developing a strong trust-wide subject community, supporting schools through Ofsted, and working with teachers and leaders to raise achievement through curriculum improvement, revision and assessment practice.
​
Alongside this work, I also held the voluntary role of Trust Sustainability Lead.
Wider contribution to Geography education Â
Alongside my work in schools and trusts, I have remained actively involved in the wider Geography education community. I have designed and delivered professional development, webinars and conference sessions for teachers and leaders, and contributed through advisory work, professional writing, resource sharing and online subject communities, working with organisations including the Geographical Association and Royal Geographical Society, as well as schools, trusts and subject networks.
​
How I approach my work
Subject-Informed
Strong geographical knowledge, grounded in academic study and more than 25 years’ experience teaching the subject. I focus on disciplinary thinking, coherent curriculum design and helping geographical understanding develop securely over time.
.png)
Evidence-Informed
My approach is shaped by educational research, professional learning and sustained classroom experience. I engage critically with emerging thinking, considering both the strength of the evidence and how effectively it can be applied in real educational settings.
Collaborative and capacity-building
I work alongside teachers, leaders and organisations to develop practical solutions suited to their context. My aim is to strengthen knowledge, confidence and internal capacity, so that improvements can be implemented, sustained and developed over time.
.png)
.png)
Beyond the curriculumÂ
Alongside leading Geography, I also served as Trust Sustainability Lead, developing and leading Astrea Academies Trust’s GoGreen strategy across 26 schools. During this period, the trust received national recognition for its sustainability work, including:
MAT Excellence Award for Sustainability Trust of the Year (2024)
Chartered Governance Institute ESG Intiative of the Year (2023)Â
Professional involvement
-
Chartered Geographer (Teacher)
-
Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society
-
Member of the Geographical Association
-
Trustee of the Geographical Association
-
Member of the GA's ICT Special Interest Group
-
Geographical Association Consultant
-
Member of the Chartered College of Teaching
-
Former Teacher Leader, Prince's Teaching Institute Geography Schools Programme.Â
Recognition - Awards
RGS - Ordnance Survey Award for Excellence in Secondary Geography Teaching (2019)
​
​
Teach Secondary Technology and Innovation Award - Best Teacher (2015)Â
I established RobGeog to bring together the different strands of my experience: Geography, curriculum, assessment, teaching and learning, professional development, educational content and personalised tutoring.
Â
At the heart of my work is a belief that Geography gives young people the knowledge, perspectives and curiosity they need to understand a complex and changing world. It helps them make connections between places, people, environments and processes, understand their place and responsibilities as global citizens, and engage with the challenges and opportunities created by climate change, sustainability and the emerging green economy.
Why RobGeog?
.png)
