This exciting course is based on a balanced framework of physical and human geography. It allows pupils to investigate the link between the two themes, and approach and examine the battles between the man-made and natural worlds. Pupils who complete the course will have the skills and experience to progress onto A Level and beyond.
Pupils 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. Pupils are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.
Syllabus:
Living with the physical environment
Topics assessed are – the challenge of natural hazards, the living world, physical landscapes in the UK, geographical skills.
- Section A – The challenge of natural hazards
- Section B – The living world
- Section C – Physical landscapes in the UK
Challenges in the human environment
Topics assessed are – urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world, the challenge of resource management, geographical skills.
- Section A – Urban issues and challenges
- Section B – The changing economic world
- Section C – The challenge of resource management
Geographical applications
Topics assessed are – issue evaluation, fieldwork, geographical skills.
- Section A – Issue evaluation
- Section B – Fieldwork
Assessment:
Paper 1 – Living with the physical environment
Written exam – 1 hour 30 minutes / 35% of GCSE (88 marks)
Question types – multiple-choice, short answer, levels of response, extended prose
Paper 2 – Challenges in the human environment
Written exam – 1 hour 30 minutes / 35% of GCSE (88 marks)
Question types – multiple-choice, short answer, levels of response, extended prose
Paper 3 – Geographical applications
Written exam – 1 hour 15 minutes / 30% of GCSE (76 marks). Pre-release resources booklet made available 12 weeks before Paper 3 exam
Question types – multiple-choice, short answer, levels of response, extended prose
Enrichment Activities:
- Pupils will attend a field trip in the local area, we will also offer international and local field trips
- External presenters from organisations, for example, The Environmental Agency
- In our co-curricular programme, pupils can attend Model United Nations (MUN) and complete their Duke of Edinburgh award