The history of the first hundred years of the GA was published in 1993 [1] and a more recently a chronological list of key people, events and achievements of the association up to the present day has been produced.

The current purpose remains the development of a community of practice for sharing teaching ideas, innovations and understanding about geographical education, but the GA also serves as a voice for and represents the interests of geography teachers in policy and practice initiatives through engagement with government.

The main motivation for the change in the legal structure of the GA in 2010 was the purchase of property, in the form the land and buildings that it had been occupying since 1997.

Members make considerable input to the work and activities of the Association through voluntary contributions of time and expertise.

The GA Office and headquarters is in Sheffield with a core body of professional staff who provide day-to-day and strategic services under the leadership of an appointed Chief Executive.

The aim is to help 'recontextualise' the discipline of geography for educational purposes and also be a means for university academics to keep in touch with the school subject.

These include the geographical adventures of a teddy bear called 'Barnaby Bear' (A Trade Marked product) for primary-aged children, Handbooks for primary and secondary school teachers, 'Toolkits' providing curriculum planning advice and lesson ideas for secondary school teachers, and a series of 'Top Spec Geography' booklets on contemporary topics aimed at AS/A2 level students.

In addition at a more general level, the catalogue includes a series interpretive guides to areas of 'classic' landforms and the exploration of cities and how they have been shaped.

Training Courses The Geographical Association runs a programme of continuing professional development events in different locations around the country.

The scheme encourages a development process using a self-assessment framework with submitted of examples of geography planning, lessons and students' work.

Evidence from schools that have used the Geography Quality Mark scheme indicates they find the evaluative framework a powerful and enabling tool for curriculum development.

Funded projects Over a number of years the Geographical Association has established itself as a leading force in the development of innovative geography projects in partnership with a variety of high-profile funders, e.g. the government-funded 'Global Learning Programme' and the British Council 'Connecting Classrooms' programme aimed at developing critical thinking and problem solving in geography.