ABSTRACT
The past few years have seen worrying trends in the numbers of pupils studying Geography in the United Kingdom. Between 1999 and 2000 the numbers taking the upper school assessment in Geography have dropped by 12 per cent, and the subject has fallen from being the fourth most popular in 1996 to eighth place in 1999. At the middle school assessment, Geography has retained its seventh position, the highest-ranking subject that is not part of the National Curriculum for 14to 16-year-olds, but the total number of candidates is also down.1
