FOR TEACHERS
Do you teach and want to highlight the importance of geospatial location and maps to influence decisions and understand earth processes such as climate change?
Find out more about how you can use geospatial in your curriculum, what free resources are available and further support options.
Why is GIS so important?
The UK Government's Geospatial Strategy recognised the growing importance of geospatial data in increasing economic growth noting its large contribution of up to £11 billion per year. According to a market report in 2024, the sector employs at least 37,500 people. It includes over 2,600 companies for whom geospatial data is a core part of their business. Internationally, the geospatial market is worth is a large and growing rapidly, projected value of £1 trillion by 2030 with an annual growth rate of 15%.
As the digital and data revolution transforms the economy and society, geospatial data skills are in increasingly high demand across all sectors.
It is expected that the demand for specialised GIS users will increase beyond supply, meaning geospatially skilled individuals will be highly employable.
Recognising the importance of the sector, the UK Government has invested in developing core skills and created the Geospatial Commission in 2020, which became an integral part of the Government Digital Service in 2025 with the aim to:
‘Develop more people with the right skills and tools to work with location data, across organisations and sectors, to meet the UK’s future needs and support global development’
(The UK's Geospatial Strategy, 2020).
Geospatial UK was created to support and achieve this aim by providing free information about geospatial data, classroom activities and resources for both students and teachers, and the option to interact directly with technical equipment and industry professionals.
ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS Online is a cloud-based mapping and analysis solution. Use it to make maps, analyse data, and to share and collaborate. Get access to workflow-specific apps, maps and data from around the globe, and tools for being mobile in the field.
With ArcGIS Online is free for all schools.
Email schools@esriuk.com to learn more.
ArcGIS Survey 123
ArcGIS Survey123 is a complete, form-centric solution for creating, sharing and analysing surveys, accessed through ArcGIS Online. Use it to create smart forms with skip logic, defaults, and support for multiple languages. Smarter forms, smarter data collection.
With ArcGIS Online is free for all schools.
Email schools@esriuk.com to learn more.
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Excel allows you to generate a map from spreadsheet data or analyse the data behind the map.
To do this, you will need to download a plugin called 'Microsoft Power Map'.
Additionally, most datasets can be downloaded as a CSV file, which can then be imported into other GIS softwares.
Help with GIS?
With the recent increase in interest in the geospatial industry and its potential, teachers may lack the confidence to use these skills in classrooms.
Don't worry, that's why we're here to help!
There are many organisations and individuals who are able to guide you through the basics of GIS, and how to use it effectively in your classroom. Have a look at the options below!
Free Training Resources
External Organisations
GeoMentor
The Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), sponsored by Esri UK, have developed a UK-wide network of GeoMentors to support the use of ArcGIS Online in the classroom.
Knowledgeable GIS professionals who volunteer as GeoMentors can help teachers to apply ArcGIS Online in the classroom to meet the criteria of the new geography curriculum and beyond.
Find a local GeoMentor by searching the online map.
Register to get in contact with a GeoMentor.
CPD Courses
Discover relevant Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses to help you update your GIS skills and improve your confidence of using GIS in the classroom.
Several organisations and learning institutions are offering courses for teachers wishing to learn more about GIS and how to apply it to the curriculum.
Look at our Latest page to see what courses are available or find your own!
Digimap for Schools is an award winning online mapping service for use by teachers and pupils, established in 2010 by EDINA, in collaboration with Ordnance Survey.
The service is designed exclusively for schools, and today is used in almost 3,000 British secondary and primary schools and a growing number of international schools.
With an intuitive interface, easy to understand tools and instructions, and no download or new software installation required, a teacher or a pupil can easily understand and start to use the service as soon as they log on.
Digimap for Schools
Learn GIS Online
There are a number of GIS tutorials available online.
If you have any suggestions on how to improve our website or want to know more or get in touch, please email us at contact@geospatialuk.org.
What we do
We created this website to help students find out more about the sector, including what skills they could learn and what jobs they could get! Click on each of the categories below to find out more.
Resources
Use any of our free resources or activities to improve your geospatial skills
Careers
Pathways
Explore the main pathways into the industry to help your students figure out what's right for them.
I've been going through the activities myself over the last couple of days and I'm blown away. I cannot wait to introduce these to my students after Easter break… Thank you again for the fantastic work you and your team have undertaken here!
Alex Carter
Geography Teacher at The John Roan School
Opportunities
GIS for Teachers
Do you teach Geography? Do you want to learn more about GIS for your classroom?
Newcastle University are hosting a FREE course for Geography teachers which will introduce you to GIS over two afternoon sessions.
Teachers are expected to attend both sessions:
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15:00-17:00 on 19 January 2022
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15:00-17:00 on 26 January 2022
Spaces are limited so book your place now to avoid disappointment!
Inspire the next geospatial experts!
Aimed at kids aged 8-12, the Get Kids into Survey project aims to bring young people into the exciting world of survey through pioneering content and engaging experiences.
They have some awesome stuff on offer:
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An online hub of exciting resources, to be used by anyone!
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FREE action-packed posters which can be sent out worldwide.
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‘SurveyFest’ events (returning 2022) where pupils can try out geospatial tech and meet surveyors.
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The GKiS Educational Fund, which raises money to support career focused school visits and more.
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*NEW* GeoSquad Comic - What would happen in a world WITHOUT Surveyors?!?”