Geography: Key Stage 4

This exciting and relevant course studies Geography in a balanced framework of physical and human themes and investigates the link between them. Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs).

Topics of study include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.

There will be three papers that will be examined at the end of year 11, syllabus used is AQA A

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment

• The challenge of natural hazards.
• The living world.
• Physical landscapes in the UK
• Geographical skills

How will it be assessed?

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes

88 marks (including 3 marks for spelling,punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology (SPaG))

35 % of GCSE

 

Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment

• Urban issues and challenges.
• The changing economic world,
• The challenge of resource management
• Geographical skills

How will it be assessed?

• Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
• 88 marks (including 3 marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology (SPaG))
• 35 % of GCSE

 

Paper 3: Geographical applications

Issue evaluation

Fieldwork

Geographical skills

 

How is it assessed?

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes

76 marks (including 6 marks for SPaG)

30 % of GCSE

 Pre-release resources booklet made available

12 weeks before Paper 3 exam

 

It is a solid academic subject and well respected by universities and employers alike.

What can this qualification lead to?

GCSE Geography is very flexible qualification as it is a social science, so it fits with other courses such as Philosophy and Sociology at an A level

A Level Geography

Degree in Geography

Further information

Mrs C Savill. Head of Geography