February 2026 Geography Subject Update
As we settle into 2026, this edition brings together everything you need to feel informed, supported and ready for the term ahead - from key dates and training opportunities to ways to get involved in shaping new qualifications and assessments, plus the latest qualification news and fresh resources to use in your classroom.
This update includes:
- Key Dates
- Training for Geography teachers
- Updated AI guidance for A level Geography NEA
- Important change to mark submission for A level Geography NEA
- Summer 2027 Provisional Timetables
- Geography in the News
- Pearson Geography - Future UK Qualifications
- Future of our international qualifications
- Improving exam accessibility for every learner
- Onscreen assessment update for international Geography qualifications
- Ofqual consultation for on-screen assessment
- Buy our new updated editions of Pearson Edexcel A Level Geography textbooks
21 February - Entry deadline UK GCSE and A level
5 March - Results day for IAL January 2026 series
20 March - Deadline to feedback on summer 2027 provisional exam timetable
21 March - Entry deadline for International GCSE and IAL
13 April - IAL Unit 4 WGE04 Pre release uploaded to website
Events for UK and International GCSE and A level Geography are now available to book via our training page.
- GCSE Geography A: Preparing Students for Geographical Investigations UK Challenges (Paper 3) - 02 March 2026 at 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
- GCSE Geography A and B: Supporting higher-attaining students - 28 April 2026 at 16:00-18:00 BST
We will be making recordings of these events available for teachers who can’t attend.
You can find recorded training videos and accompanying materials for all our Exam Insights 2025 Events and Mocks Marking Events
You can find pre-recorded training videos and guidance to support the marking and delivery of A level Geography coursework on our website:
We have the following pre-recorded training events for teachers who are new to teaching our Geography specifications or are considering switching:
We’ve updated our guidance on using AI for the A level Geography NEA to give you clearer support. The revised information sets out what’s appropriate, what isn’t, and how AI can be used responsibly, helping teachers and students feel confident and protected while keeping genuine geographical enquiry skills at the heart of the work.
From this summer, there’s an important change to how you submit marks and student work for A Level Geography NEA.
You’ll need to submit your centre marks before we release the list of students selected for the moderation sample.
You'll submit your centre marks through Edexcel Online as normal. Learner Work Transfer opens on 13 April 2026. If your centre marks are submitted before this date, your moderation sample will be available in Learner Work Transfer from 13 April, and you can upload student work for moderation straight away.
The Provisional timetables for Summer 2027 are available on our Provisional timetables web page from Monday 2nd February. The feedback window will run until Friday 20th March.
Please send any feedback to timetables@pearson.com
Geography in the News aims to stimulate discussion about the relevance of geography to our lives and its importance in helping us to make sense of the world around us. In January, Greenland became the centre of a major international dispute focussing on the USA’s interest in the island because of its strategic location, natural resources and importance for global security.
'The Arctic Power Grab: Why is Greenland becoming increasingly important?'
This links to: Edexcel A level Geography Topic 7 Superpowers; Edexcel GCSE Geography A Topic 6 Energy resource management; Edexcel GCSE Geography B Topic 9 Consuming Energy Resources; Edexcel International A level Topic C1: Superpower Geographies
We welcome the Curriculum and Assessment Review's recommendations for the geography national curriculum and the GCSE and A Level subject content. We are keen to engage with teachers to hear your views and help shape future updates to our qualifications.
During the webinar we will discuss:
- the CAR panel's recommendations for geography curriculum updates
- the DfE's qualification redevelopment timeline
- updates to the GCSE and A Level subject content
- sharing perspectives on embedding climate change and sustainability into the future geography curriculum and redeveloped qualifications, with Kate Stockings, Trust Lead for Geography at Future Academies.
Interested in contributing? Please sign up to join one of our webinars. This is a chance to share your views on what you would like to see in updated qualifications. Our webinars will be held on Tuesday 24th February at 3.30pm and Wednesday 4th March at 3.30pm via MS Teams.
If you’d like to participate, please complete the sign-up form below. Even if you can't make these dates, please still sign up as we will consider running additional webinars.
Future of our international qualifications
Following the publication of the Curriculum and Assessment review final report and timeline of UK qualification reform, we’ve been receiving questions from international Geography teachers about when international qualifications will be reformed.
Our international GCSEs are designed to be aligned to the UK qualifications, with international learners in mind and are recognised around the world as being equivalent. This is still our guiding principle through the next reform and the Pearson international team will work closely with the UK team on understanding the proposed changes, and what this could mean for international qualifications going forwards so that we retain this aligned approach. At this time, we are not planning to make any immediate changes to the international qualifications, though this may change once more details are released at a subject level with the DfE.
Pearson is partnering with the brilliant team at the UCL Centre for Research in Autism and Education (CRAE) on an exciting research project exploring how neurotypical and neurodivergent students - including autistic learners and those with ADHD - approach GCSE exam questions.
When you understand how students think their way through a question, you unlock the ability to design assessments that are clearer, fairer and more accessible for everyone.
We’re now moving into the next phase of the project, and we’d be incredibly grateful for the support of schools and colleges.
If your centre is able to take part, or you’d simply like to find out more, please register your interest here
Ofqual consultation for on-screen assessment
Ofqual has launched a consultation on proposals for how on-screen assessment should be regulated in GCSEs, AS and A levels in England. Whilst they propose a controlled introduction of on-screen assessment, pen-and-paper will remain central to most exams.
As teachers working directly with students, you understand their needs and the challenges this proposal may present.
Your opinion counts. The consultation closes on 5 March 2026. Please take a look and have your say.
Our brand-new 2nd edition A level Geography textbooks, publishing in early 2026, bring the world into your classroom. Updated with the latest data and global events, these books make geography relevant and exciting. The two textbooks offer complete coverage of the Pearson Edexcel AS and A level Geography specifications with an issues-based approach to contemporary geographical themes.
- Stay ahead with comprehensive coverage of the Pearson Edexcel specification.
- Engage learners through real-world case studies, clear diagrams, and synoptic links.
- Thinking Synoptically pages use interesting material to challenge your knowledge and understanding.
- Support success with fieldwork guidance and activities that develop essential skills for higher achievement.
Subject advisor
Jon Wolton
Geography
