The simplistic picture of a subject in decline presented by your reporter (“Beset by uninspiring teaching”, 4 February) does geography - and Ofsted’s report - few favours. The report gives many examples of primary and secondary schools where it is flourishing.

In schools where geography is weak it is often a low priority, so it is more likely to be taught by non-specialists; teachers lack recent subject-specific CPD and there are few opportunities for fieldwork. It is of particular concern that one in 10 academies entered no pupils for GCSE geography in 2009.

If we are serious about preparing them well for life in the 21st century, all young people deserve access to high-quality geography provision, not just a fortunate minority.

Dr John Hopkin, President, Geographical Association, Birmingham.