Geography
Overview
The course allows a range of human and physical features to be studied with an emphasis on UK Geography within a global context. The AQA course has a Geographical Application paper where both decision making tasks and fieldwork will be assessed.
We will be continuing to do our popular Hengistbury Head field trip in Year 10 which allows pupils to experience first-hand coastal processes and management as well as conduct a range of field studies.
Topics covered
Living with physical environment:
Challenges of natural hazards - tectonic hazards, tropical storms, extreme weather in the UK, climate change
Physical Landscapes – coastal and river landscapes
The Living world- Local ecosystems, tropical rainforests, hot deserts
Challenges to the Human Environment:
Urban Challenges-Global patterns, two contrasting cities, sustainable urban futures
The changing economic world-Global patterns, closing the development gap, Contrasting studies of economic development.
The challenge of resource management- Overview of resources in the UK, global resource security, water
Fieldwork:
Fieldwork is now a compulsory element and pupils will need to attend a one day fieldwork trip to Hengistbury Head and one morning in Basingstoke town centre.
Two Contrasting pieces of fieldwork must be completed; these include a short write up.
These are assessed in the paper 3 where pupils will be examined on their understanding of the fieldwork they completed and the design of fieldwork practices in general.
Assessments
Three Exam Papers
Living with the Physical Environment - 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of the qualification
Challenges in the Human Environment - 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of the qualification
Geographical Applications - 1 hour 15 minutes, 30% of the qualification
FAQs
What do we study?
At GCSE, we study three main themes: Physical Geography, Human Geography and Fieldwork and Geographical Applications. We delve in depth into each of these subjects over the course.
Why pick Geography?
Geography is not only up-to-date and relevant, it is one of the most exciting, adventurous and valuable subjects to study today. So many of the world's current problems boil down to geography, and need the geographers of the future to help us understand them. Global warming, sustainable food production, natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis, the spread of disease, the reasons for migration and the future of energy resources are just some of the great challenges facing the next generation of geographers. As a subject linking the arts and the sciences it is highly flexible in terms of what you can combine it with, both at GCSE and A Level. If you choose to take geography on to university there are literally hundreds of courses to choose from and the range of career areas accessed by graduates of geography will probably surprise you. Geography helps you to make sense of the world around you. It is hands on, it is relevant and it is fun. The course will give you the chance to get to grips with some of the big questions which affect our world, and understand the social, economic and physical forces and processes which shape and change our world. There are so many ways of learning in geography. It is very practical, with opportunities to learn new skills such as modern computer based mapping (called GIS), map skills, interpreting photographs, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. You will improve your literacy through your report writing and written work and make practical use of your numeracy skills when you interpret data and construct graphs. Fieldwork, or working outside the classroom, is a really important part of geography. Whether you go locally or get the chance to travel further away, it will be a brilliant opportunity to experience some of the things you have learnt about in class, see things differently and of course have fun.
Is it hard?
If you enjoy Geography then you will enjoy learning about the topics that we study. You will have to read and write extended answers and analyse them from different points of view. You will also need to analyse and interpret maps and graphs and do some statistical analysis. In Geography, you also need to make sure you are committed to keeping up to date with your knowledge, using retrieval questions and knowledge organisers as there is a lot of content.
Will I have the same Geography teacher?
All our Geography teachers teach GCSE so you may have the same teacher as you do in year 8, but you could also have a new one. You shouldn’t pick this GCSE just because you like or dislike your current teacher.
Do I have to write lots?
You will need to write when taking notes in class and when answering exam style questions. These range from 1 mark short answer questions to 9 mark critical thinking questions where you will need to evaluate, analyse and assess different issues. There is also the opportunity to be creative within Geography.
What exam board do we do?
AQA
How is it assessed and how many exams do we take?
There are 3 papers consisting of Paper 1: Physical Geography, Paper 2: Human Geography and Paper 3: Geographical Applications. All exams are taken in the summer of Year 11 during the GCSE period. The first exam consists of the Physical Geography paper (1 hour 30 minutes), the second paper is the Human Geography paper (1 hour 30 minutes) and the third paper is the Geographical Skills paper (1 hour 15 minutes). In all papers the questions increase in marks awarded and assess both key content knowledge and source skill analysis.
Throughout your GCSE you will learn and practice how to do all of the styles of questions leading to your final GCSEs.
Is there any coursework?
No, there is no coursework element. There is, however, a fieldwork element which will be assessed in Paper 3.
Can I do both Geography and History?
Yes you can, you would just have to pick them from the relevant option blocks. The two humanities subjects complement each other.
How similar is GCSE to Y8 Geography?
Our lessons at GCSE are very similar in structure to Y8. You will still see big questions underpinning each lesson and forming enquiry based learning. The biggest change is that you will be asked to further your knowledge and understanding by expanding your thinking by challenging and analysing evidence.
Will my BET assessment result affect whether I can do the subject?
No it won't, but it gives you an insight of the type of questions that you could be asked in your GCSE.
Where can Geography take me?
Learners who achieve this qualification could progress on to A levels, such as:
A level Geography
A level Environmental sciences
It may also be useful to those studying qualifications in the following subjects:
Humanities, Science and Maths
Is Geography right for me?
No one can answer this question but you, however to help you decide, think about the following questions:
Do you have a passion for Geography?
Do you have a mind that is curious and wants to be inspired?
Do you want to learn about the world around you and the issues we face?
If the answer is yes, then Geography is the subject for you!