GCSE
GCSE Specification and Curriculum Overview
Geography is a popular GCSE choice. It draws upon virtually all other subjects to provide a more complete understanding of the world we live in and the issues of today.
Geography is concerned with describing and explaining the distribution of things on the surface of the Earth. Geographers go on to consider the issues that arise as these patterns change over time.
Course content
The GCSE course considers three Physical Geography themes:
Changing Landscapes looks at rocks & geological processes, coasts, rivers and glaciated landscapes.
Weather Hazards & Climate Change looks at the global atmospheric circulation model, Britain’s climate, tropical cyclones, and natural & human cause of climate change.
Ecosystems, Biodiversity & Management looks at the distribution of global scale ecosystems and the structure, threats to and management of both tropical rainforests and temperate deciduous forests
In addition, three Human Geography themes are studied:
Changing Cities looks urbanisation, city structure and the impacts of globalisation on urban areas in both rich countries and poorer countries.
Global Development looks at definitions of development, the pattern of global development, and the economic, social, demographic & geopolitical factors that influence development.
Resource Management looks at the distribution and use of natural resources, going on to look in detail at the sustainable management of energy or water resources.
The third section of the GCSE course involves two days of Geographical Fieldwork – one day on a human geography investigation and one day on a physical geography investigation. There is no controlled assessment in the geography GCSE.
As part of the GCSE course pupils will be introduced to a wide range of Geographical Skills including map work, data presentation & analysis, report writing, satellite photo analysis, interpretation of synoptic weather charts, and ICT skills including Geographical Information Systems.
Time, Equipment and Expenses
Pupils taking geography GCSE will need to purchase a Philip’s Modern School Atlas 97th Edition (ISBN 978184907193).
They will also need a pen, pencil, calculator, ruler and protractor. Coloured pencils, a glue stick and a small pair of round-ended scissors are also useful. As part of the course it is likely that there will be one or two day trips costing about £15 each.
Pupils have one piece of homework set per week that should take about 40 minutes to complete.
For more information please speak to Mr King, Head of Geography