Teachers’ awareness of and preparedness for curriculum and qualification change

Conducted during January 2026 the GA’s online survey sought views from the geography subject community on colleagues’ awareness of, and preparedness for, curriculum and qualification change in English primary and secondary schools.

The GA thanks the 1,035 colleagues who responded and shared their view. This was the largest ever response to a GA survey.

• 36% of respondents were EYFS and primary colleagues, and/or working in primary ITT.
• 64% of respondents were working in secondary schools, post 16, FE and/or secondary ITT.
• 88% of respondents had a geography subject specialist background, having studied a geography degree or another relevant subject, 12% did not.

Key findings:

• Awareness of the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s recommendations for geography

One third of surveyed teachers (33%) were ‘not at all aware’ of the Curriculum and Assessment Review’s recommendations for geography.

22% of surveyed teachers were ‘very aware’ and 45% ‘aware’ of the recommendations.

• Awareness of when the new geography National Curriculum will be introduced

27% of surveyed teachers correctly identified that the new National Curriculum will be first taught from September 2028.

14% identified September 2026 as the start date, 17% identified September 2027 as the start date, 12% identified September 2029 as the start date and 30% ‘don’t know’.

• Awareness of when, at the earliest, first teaching of new GCSE geography specifications will take place

18% of surveyed teachers correctly identified that the earliest, first teaching of the revised GCSE specifications will be from September 2029.

17% identified September 2026, 13% identified September 2027, 17% identified September 2028 and 35% ‘don’t know’.

• What are the key factors that influence your school’s response to the new curriculum and qualifications? In rank order:

1. time constraints for planning and/or CPD on the changes
2. budget constraints for resources and support
3. not knowing what will be required
4. gaps in the geographical subject expertise of your colleagues
5. not knowing where to go for help
6. SLT support
7. gaps in my own subject knowledge
8. decisions about curriculum and/or GCSE and A Level are taken by other colleagues working in my MAT.

Get up-to-speed with the changes

To help geography teachers get up-to-speed with the changes the Geographical Association has launched this free online CPD module – Curriculum and Qualification Change – with respective primary and secondary tracks.

The short module explains the timescale and key recommendations for curriculum and qualification change, and guides teachers’ planning towards their implementation.

The GA will also be providing additional guidance, support, CPD and resources for its members to help them implement a revised curriculum and qualifications.

If you are not already a GA member you can join – as a school, departmental or individual member – using this link: Join the GA.