Beyond the Specification: Superpowers
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Updated February 2026
Written June 2020
In this series of blog posts (one for each of human topics of Edexcel A-Level geography), I will share some of the ‘best’ resources that I’ve come across for going beyond the specification when teaching A-Level geography. The criteria for making the list of ‘best’ resources?
· Free to access
· Engaging and readable for 6th form students
· Encourage students to ‘think geographically’ beyond the prescribed content of their course
By their very nature, these resources can date quickly and the list must frequently change. This is one of the issues with teaching A-Level, it can seem (at times) overwhelming to keep on top of everything and so I hope the list below proves useful to you in the classroom. Whilst this blog focuses on going beyond the specification, I have shared my ‘best bits’ for teaching the specification here.
One thing I’m keen to promote in my teaching of A-Level is the use of varied sources and thus you’ll notice that each of the 5 resources below is presenting information to students in a different format. I’m always on the hunt for more of these so if you know of any, please do comment below with suggestions!
1. Theories of Development
An explanatory video, available here.
Discussing six theories of development (modernisation, dependency, neoliberalism, sustainable development, human development and post development) this video is wider in scope than the specification but an excellent resource for students to use independently to further their knowledge. Each theory is discussed before the positives and negatives are weighed up. The language used is accessible to all and students will find themselves drawing synoptic links from across the course, within the context of development.
2. Why India’s diaspora is so powerful?
A video from the Economist available here.
Drawing together content that students will have studied on soft power, the rising significance of the BRICs, the importance of cultural influence and so much more, this short video goes beyond the spec to allow students to consider the importance of India’s diaspora for it’s future as a superpower. It is broken down into 3 sections that cover the size of the Indian diaspora, the power of it and the importance for diplomacy.
3. In conversation with Tim Marshall
Part of the ‘Ask the Geographer’ podcast series from the RGS, available here.
Podcasts can be a hugely helpful resource to use at A-Level- particularly to encourage independent note taking by students. Whilst some of the ‘Ask The Geographer’ series are a little dense in places, this one by Tim Marshall is perfectly pitched for use with A-Level students. Tim Marshall (the author of Prisoners of Geography) provides an update on his book- discussing the current geopolitical hotspots with ample references to the implications for current superpowers and emerging superpowers.
4. ‘The Future of Geography’ Superpowers and Space Summary
An A4 summary sheet available here.
As I read Tim Marshall’s ‘The Future of Geography’ (reviewed here) I found myself recording the key points of the book that were relevant to the superpowers topic. What resulted is a summary sheet of the key points for going beyond the specification in terms of thinking synoptically about superpower status and space exploration.
5. The Global Risks Report 2025 and 2026
An A4 handout summarising the report with tasks for students to complete based on the 2025 report here and the 2026 report here.
The Global Risks Report is a fascinating read each year and, often, directly aligns with what we teach in the Superpowers topic. This was more true in 2026 than in 2025 (which is reflected in the length of the handouts linked above!) but, regardless, the reports are well-worth signposting students to in order to advance their knowledge of challenges facing our planet and society today.