Geography: Subject Leader Network

The Geography Leader Network allows leaders to share good practice with each other under the guidance of a highly experienced Geography Leader.

A chance to share successful practice, receive updates on national and local curriculum developments, and to further develop your leadership/curriculum skills. Subsequent network session content will be co-created between participants and Nell.

• national updates and guidance

• good practice sharing including resources, ideas, exemplars from schools

• OfSTED updates

• Provide you with the opportunity to network with teachers from other schools and share experiences, approaches and resources.

Here is some feedback from recent courses:

– Subject Leads Network Meeting (Learning Partnership) May 2023

“Brilliant as always! Thank you Nell ????”

“Many thanks Nell – loved the book and the ideas that came from it!”

“Thank you again Nell, the part on assessment was really useful as I’m looking at this for our action plan at the moment!”

“Will definitely be joining you again Nell, thank you.”

– Embedding Fieldwork (Geographical Association) May 2023

“A really insightful course that was also engaging. The simple mapping was a lightbulb moment, as I know, as a staff, we’ve found it hard to create simple maps meaningfully in our provision.”

“I really enjoyed the course. I liked how we got to go out and try things out straight away. I loved the range of activities.”

“Thank you for an inspiring course! I’ve got lots of ideas to take back to staff and help with delivering a staff meeting too.”

“Thank you Nell so such for a helpful and hands-on course. I loved exploring the fieldwork strategies and will implement all 4 we covered. I am excited about thinking how I can fit these into our existing curriculum. I found the enquiry questions really challenging but want to begin to develop this as a school.”

– Leading Primary Geography – Subject Leadership (Learning Partnership) May 2023

“I enjoy the sessions as they’re laid back and inclusive for all levels of subject leadership. I feel that I have a good grasp of the 3 main aims from the start and I’m looking forward to setting up a proper folder! I have a clearer idea of my roles and responsibilities and I will look at the areas I have to develop and see what I can start doing. Thank you.”

“I’m going away with extra knowledge about leading Geography. Following today I will make an effort to talk to colleagues about their Geographical links. I have enjoyed the session and have lots to share. Thank you.”

“As always, a supportive session. I always feel the breakout task is of benefit as it gives us chance to share ideas and hear the views of others. Looking forward to talking with staff and using some of the resources about auditing.”

– Creative approaches to teaching geography (London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham) March 2023

“I’m feeling enthusiastic about teaching geography now – I’ve been given new tools, ideas and resources.”

“Enjoyed the session today; really useful activity ideas and fieldwork. Critical Thinking info was fab. Thankyou x”

“I’m excited about developing our curriculum, introducing more fieldwork/map skills and critical thinking activities.”

“Lots of fabulous ideas: I’m definitely going to use/share a number of these back at school.”

“Feeling passionate and more confident to move froward with Geography. Great ideas and presentation from Nell: very engaging. Useful activities and resources to take away.”

– Leading Primary Geography – Geographical Skills (Learning Partnership) March 2023

“I’m going away more confident and enthusiastic to plan fieldwork, including map making. I will also be able to feed back at a staff meeting to other members of staff. Many thanks.”

“I’ve learnt a lot; I’m new to geography leading so I didn’t know what to expect. I like the ideas for activities and I’m looking forward to doing the fieldwork audit. I feel much more enthusiastic about fieldwork.”

“There was lots of information and practical activities to use with my own class and to share with colleagues. Some useful knowledge for an amateur Geography lead. Thank you.”

“Thank you for today. I’m looking forward to sharing ideas from today with the rest of the staff team. Great ideas for fieldwork and mapping resources.”

Nell Seal

Nell is an educator, trainer, and ecologist passionate about helping teachers bring geography and outdoor learning to life.

With over 25 years’ experience across schools, field centres, and national organisations, she has seen how powerful it is when children connect deeply with place and nature. Through Salix Education, she designs and delivers practical, curriculum-aligned CPD that gives teachers the confidence, ideas, and inspiration to take learning beyond the classroom.

Her background combines academic rigour with hands-on experience: a first-class BSc in Ecology, an MSc (Distinction) in Applied Ecology and Conservation from UEA, and qualified teacher status specialising in geography. She has worked as an advisory teacher and centre leader for Norfolk County Council, managed quality assurance schemes for the Forest School Association, and delivered training in partnership with the Geographical Association and the Learning Partnership.

Alongside my consultancy, she is a Level 3 Forest School Leader, running long-term Forest School sessions for Year 1 children at her local school: a grounding reminder of why this work matters!

She cares deeply about professional integrity, quality learning experiences, and nurturing curiosity about the world. Her sessions are known for being practical, reflective, and rooted in real-world classroom and outdoor contexts