Subject Leadership and Professional Development Links
Subject Leadership, department development, CPD and professional learning.
A curated selection of articles, research and practical resources to support Geography subject leadership, departmental development and professional learning.
Books
Adam Robbins — Middle Leadership Mastery: A Toolkit for Subject and Pastoral Leaders
Robbins, A. (2021). Crown House Publishing.
A brilliant, evidence-informed guide to middle leadership, covering areas including curriculum design, teacher development, decision-making, quality assurance, staff wellbeing and leading teams. Although not geography-specific, it provides a useful broader perspective for subject leaders.
Explore book →
https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/middle-leadership-mastery
Catherine Owen & Jennifer Monk (eds.) — What Is Geography Teaching, Now?
Owen, C. & Monk, J. (Eds.). Hachette Learning.
A wide range of chapters exploring contemporary geography teaching through contributions from teachers and subject specialists. Particularly relevant for subject leaders is Jo Payne’s chapter on leading a geography department, which considers the role of the Head of Geography in shaping curriculum, supporting colleagues and developing a strong departmental culture.
Explore book →
https://www.hachettelearning.com/geography/what-is-geography-teaching-now
David Preece — Secondary Geography in Action
Preece, D. (2025). Hachette Learning.
A practical and research-informed exploration of what high-quality secondary geography looks like in practice. Particularly useful for subject and middle leaders, it encourages engagement with current debates and different perspectives within the geography education community, alongside practical consideration of how these translate into departmental decision-making.
The book explores areas including putting geography into action, curriculum planning and sequencing, pedagogical content knowledge, whose geography is taught, lesson planning, geographical skills, assessment, GIS and fieldwork. Its accompanying case studies include examples of complete curriculum redesign, KS3 sequencing and backwards planning.
Explore book →
https://www.hachettelearning.com/geography/secondary-geography-in-action
Mark Jones (ed.) — The Handbook of Secondary Geography
Jones, M. (Ed.). (2017). Geographical Association.
A good reference guide to secondary geography teaching, written for Heads of Department as well as classroom teachers. It covers curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, subject knowledge, fieldwork, resources and professional development, including specific consideration of leading geography departments.
Explore book →
https://portal.geography.org.uk/Shop/view/9781843773771
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Geographical Association — Geography Subject Leadership
The GA’s main hub for new, experienced and aspiring geography subject leaders in both primary and secondary schools. It explores the responsibilities of geography leaders and brings together professional guidance and resources to support subject development.
Explore subject leadership →
https://geography.org.uk/curriculum-support/geography-subject-leadership-in-primary-and-secondary-schools/
Websites and Articles
Geographical Association — Subject Leader Development Programme
A professional development programme for aspiring and existing geography subject leaders. The programme includes nine online sessions across the year, an action-research project and ongoing support, with an emphasis on developing curriculum, culture and teaching within geography departments.
Explore programme →
https://geography.org.uk/events-cpd/subject-leader-development-programme-sldp/
Royal Geographical Society — Becoming a Head of Department
A collection of training materials designed to develop leadership capacity and support teachers in thinking about the key responsibilities involved in leading a curriculum area. Resources include activities on leadership, team development, improvement and the role of the middle leader.
Explore resources →
https://www.rgs.org/schools/curriculum-and-professional-support/becoming-a-head-of-department
Royal Geographical Society — What Do Senior Leaders Expect from a Head of Geography?
A particularly useful geography-specific article exploring expectations of Heads of Geography, including modelling effective teaching, maintaining strong subject knowledge, designing coherent curricula, developing colleagues through coaching and creating a strong departmental culture.
Read article →
https://www.rgs.org/schools/curriculum-and-professional-support/ideas-for-teachers/what-do-senior-leaders-expect-from-a-head-of-geography
Rob Chambers — Mastery, Integration and the Tensions in Designing a Coherent Curriculum
Reflections on curriculum leadership and the challenge of balancing mastery, integration, assessment and progression when designing a shared geography curriculum. It considers how subject leaders can identify and sequence important knowledge while retaining the coherence of the discipline.
Read article →
https://robgeogchambers.substack.com/p/mastery-integration-and-the-tensions
Rob Chambers — Professional Development That Changes Practice
Reflections on how professional development can move beyond awareness to create meaningful changes in classroom practice. Drawing on Rachel Ball’s researchED Yorkshire session, the article considers the role of cognitive load, modelling, rehearsal and social support, with particular relevance to subject and middle leaders seeking to translate professional development into sustained departmental practice.
Read article →
https://robgeogchambers.substack.com/p/professional-development-that-changes