Media release
29.11.13
Young Geographers of the Year
named
This year’s top school geography pupils have been named, as the Young Geographer of the
Year 2013 results were announced at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) today.
Pupils nationwide were challenged to show how well they know their local area and how it compares
to the rest of the UK. The competition, run by the Society in conjunction with Geographical Magazine,
encouraged pupils to investigate either the human or the physical geography of the place in which
they live.
The awards were presented to pupils by Professor Danny Dorling, University of Oxford in a ceremony
at the Society’s headquarters in Kensington, London on Friday 29 November 2013. The overall
category winners were:

9-11 years: Sami Williams, Colet Court, Richmond

11-14 years: Oliver Mills, Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall

14-16 years: George Breckenridge, Roundhay School, Leeds

16-18 years: Ian Cheung, Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough

Rex Walford Award (new or student teachers): Helen Bambridge, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar
School, Marlow
Three highly commended awards were also made in each of the school categories (see below).
This year’s competition required pupils to use of a range of different data sources – such as census or
climate data – to analyse and explain geographical processes and features. Pupils should have also
made first-hand observations about their local area.
Pupils in the three youngest categories (9-11 years, 11-14 years and 14-16 years) were asked to
submit an annotated diagram or map. 16-18 year olds were asked to write a 1,500 word essay which
could include illustrations, maps or graphs.
The Rex Walford Award is awarded to a student teacher or a newly qualified teacher. Entries for this
award answered the same question, but took the form of lesson notes or a scheme of work covering a
series of lessons.
Commenting on the winners, Steve Brace, RGS-IBG Head of Education Outdoor Learning, said: “We
were very impressed with the level of work the pupils produced. Their entries drew on many different
sources of geographical information, as well as local fieldwork and first-hand data collection, and
illustrated high levels of geographical understanding and analysis.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. Photos of of the winners are available for media use. For photos contact the RGS-IBG
Communications and Media Office on +44 (0)20 7591 3150 or press@rgs.org.
2. Young Geographer of the Year is run by The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and
Geographical Magazine. The competition began in 2000 and has become a regular feature
on many schools' calendars. Announced in the July edition of the magazine, the competition is
open to young geographers throughout the UK and Europe under the age of 19 years. The prizes
were kindly sponsored by Geographical Magazine, Ordnance Survey, Philip’s, Stanfords, Cotswold
Outdoor and the British Academy.
3. The Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) is the learned society
and professional body for geography. Formed in 1830, our Royal Charter of 1859 is for 'the
advancement of geographical science'. Today, we deliver this objective by developing, supporting
and promoting geography through research, expeditions and fieldwork, education, and public
engagement, while also providing geographical input to policy. We aim to foster an understanding
and informed enjoyment of our world. We hold the world's largest private geographical collection
and provide public access to it. We have a thriving Fellowship and membership and offer the
professional accreditation 'Chartered Geographer' www.rgs.org
4. Winning and highly commended entries to Young Geographer of the Year can be viewed at
www.rgs.org/ygoty2013
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9-11 years (Key Stage 2)

Winner: Sami Williams, Colet Court, Richmond

Highly commended: Jack Davies, Colet Court, Richmond

Highly commended: Grace Kent, Grange Park Primary School, London

Highly commended: Kayley Skinner, St. Paulinus RC Primary School, Guisborough
11-14 years (Key Stage 3)

Winner: Oliver Mills, Queen Mary’s Grammar School, Walsall

Highly commended: Harry Davies, The Oratory School, Reading

Highly commended: Leo Webb, Colyton Grammar School, Colyton

Highly commended: Charlotte O’Neill, Imberhorne School, East Grinstead
14-16 years (GCSE)

George Breckenridge, Roundhay School, Leeds

Highly commended: Heather Osborne, Clathorpe Park School, Fleet

Highly commended: Ruth Dale, Teeside High School, Stockton-on-Tees

Highly commended: Zoe Kuyken, Colyton Grammer School, Colyton
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16-18 years (A Level)

Ian Cheung, Loughborough Grammar School, Loughborough

Highly commended: Bryony Freer, St Albans High School for Girls, St Albans

Highly commended: Coco Huggins, The Godolphin and Latymer School, London

Highly commended: Maria Christodoulou, Kingsmead School, London
o The Rex Walford Award was made to Helen Bambridge, Sir William Borlase’s Grammar
School, Marlow