Taking climate change beyond the classroom – Annual Climate Change and Sustainability Student Conference

Figure 1: Matt Blackett and Kelly Kirsten deliver an urban heat island effect talk

27 July 2026

Read time: 4mins

‘Students come away from the conference with a stronger idea of where geography can take them, as well as a sense of justice for our climate that hopefully develops them into climate advocates.’

George Ball

Our students read, watch and are examined on climate change across much of the geography curriculum, but rarely do they get an opportunity to explore it outside of a classroom environment. This was the motivation for the creation of this annual event three years ago by our geography department at Blue Coat Church of England School in Coventry.

Figure 1: Dr Catherine Souch - Royal Geographical Society — Figure 2: Dr Catherine Souch – Royal Geographical Society

2026 was our biggest event yet, bringing together 132 A level and GCSE students to hear from subject experts on key global issues from a variety of topics, bringing to life various aspects of climate change that they have been taught in their lessons this year.

Planning the annual event has relied on the goodwill of various working geography specialists. We contacted both local (Warwick and Coventry) and wider universities (Birkbeck) who have all sent supporting resources, speakers and wider student support.

This year we additionally contacted the Royal Geographical Society, who offered to support in the planning of a session and sent Dr Catherine Souch to lead one of them, inspiring our geographers on where geography can take them. The Geographical Association have also supported our event, providing resources and rewards for students participating.

The conference was attended by students from years 10 and 12. Bringing the two age groups together has been an important aspect for us, as year 10 students encounter ideas that stretch them beyond GCSE, while year 12 students are able to make connections with their A level studies and consider the wider academic and career pathways linked to geography.

Figure 2: Kerem Oge - Warwick University — Figure 3: Kerem Oge – Warwick University

The event complements several areas of our curriculum. At GCSE, students study climate change as part of natural hazards, alongside urbanisation and resource management.

At A level, climate change sits across all topics, with large connections with the water and carbon cycles, global governance, and changing places. The conference allows students to connect these areas rather than viewing them as separate unit – giving them a synoptic view that supports their longer written answers.

It also supports our wider curriculum intention: to help students think like geographers. Throughout the event, students encounter competing priorities, varying stakeholders and questions about responsibility.

This was seen particularly this year during Kerem Öge’s session on the role AI is playing in the climate change debate. Students can take on decision-making exercises with greater confidence having had these sessions.

Students come away from the conference with a stronger idea of where geography can take them, as well as a sense of justice for our climate that hopefully develops them into climate advocates.

This event has shown us the value of creating partnerships between schools, universities and geographical organisations. By giving our classes this outside expertise, we have been able to make geography feel more current and challenging for our students.

This post was written by George Ball, geography teacher at Blue Coat School, Coventry.