English primary trainee teachers’ perceptions of geography

Geography is a statutory subject in English primary schools and forms part of the National Curriculum (DfEE [Department for Education and Employment], 1999). Indications from the coalition government are that it will remain so, possibly as part of an “English Baccalaureate” (DfE [Department of Education], 2010, p. 41). Consequently, all graduates from teacher education courses are usually required to teach geography when they take up teaching positions within English primary schools.