More than 3,000 schoolchildren participated in this year's Young Geographer competition and the winners were announced at the RGS–IBG in Kensington. Nick Crane told the winners, who had travelled from as far afield as Oman to attend the awards, that geography was 'the most exciting subject in the world' and that it had been a key part of his life since childhood.
The theme of this year's competition was 'How Can Geography Help You' and the childrens' submissions included everything from beautifully drawn posters to digital presentations and lengthy essays.
The Winners
Winner 9-11 Years
Beth Green, St Paulinus Primary Catholic Voluntary Academy
Highly Commended
Yusuf Baig, Colet Court, London
Flurina Briner, British School Muscat, Oman
Prithu Menon, Manchester Grammar School
Winner 11-14 Years
Ben Waller, Cardinal Newman Catholic School
Highly Commended
Annie Hine Withington Girls' School
Anisha Mehta, Watford Grammar School for Girls
Kirsten Rachman, King Edward V1 High School for Girls
Winner 14-16 Years
Victoria Synek Herd, Colyton Grammar School
Highly Commended
Adam Davis, Sandown Bay Academy
Charlotte O'Neill, Imberhorne School
Robert Saunt, Loughborough Grammar School
Winner of 16-18 Years
Sophie Catherine Topp, St Helens and St Katharine
Highly Commended
Josephine Armstrong, Durham Johnston School
Maitanki Sutharson, Watford Grammar School for Girls
Emily Young, Kings College School
At the ceremony, this year's winner of the Rex Walford Award, which recognises the work of an inspirational geography teacher at the start of their career, was also announced. This year the award went to 23-year-old Becki Quigley from the McAuley Catholic Voluntary Academy, Doncaster.
