So Alex Standish thinks that geographical bodies don’t provide training for teachers and have “purged geography of its intellectual foundations” (TES, December 10).
Perhaps the next time he visits the UK he should come to one of the many events run by bodies such as us (RGS-IBG), the Geographical Association, the Department for Education and Skills and others and see the training we offer for teachers.
This year we have trained more than 1,000 teachers through courses and online resources. Just last month, 150 teachers came here to study technology, and specifically Geographical Information Sciences - a form of digital mapping that has revolutionised geography in academia, government and elsewhere - to enrich lessons and engage pupils with new and exciting geographical concepts.
The intellectual excitement of the teachers themselves was also clear to see and we are fortunate that we have so many outstanding teachers willing to find time to develop their subject expertise. It was inspiring for everybody there who passionately believes that there is no more relevant subject than geography in schools.
Dr Rita Gardner
Director Royal Geographical Society (with Institute of British Geographers)
1 Kensington Gore
London SW7
