Battersea Power Station: A Living Classroom for Channing Geographers

At Channing School, we believe that learning should be inspiring, relevant and connected to the world around us. That’s why we’re thrilled to share our latest feature on the Ask the Geographer podcast by the Royal Geographical Society, where our Head of Geography, Mrs Blake, discusses her innovative fieldwork scheme centred on Battersea Power Station.

In the episode, Mrs Blake explains how this iconic London landmark has become a dynamic case study for Key Stage 3 students, offering a fresh perspective on place, identity and urban regeneration. From wartime electricity provider to cutting-edge retail and leisure hub, Battersea Power Station’s evolution provides the perfect backdrop for pupils to explore themes usually reserved for GCSE and A-level.

The scheme isn’t just about learning facts—it’s about doing geography. Year 8 students embark on a hands-on field trip, collecting data through creative methods like aroma and decibel mapping, mood surveys, sketching, and sustainability scoring. They engage with real-world geography, develop analytical skills, and reflect on how past connections shape present-day London.

This podcast captures the spirit of Channing’s geography teaching: forward-thinking, ambitious, and rooted in experiential learning. It’s a testament to how our curriculum prepares students not just for exams, but for understanding and shaping the world around them.