Geography

Fourths

OQ : Local Region and Geographical Skills.
We concentrate on skills and they explore their new environment. They learn to collect data and observe their surroundings giving them an opportunity to develop their IT skills. Cross-curricular studies are encouraged with weathering surveys of the School Building contrasting rock types aiding the links with the Chemistry National Curriculum. Since 2002 each fourth form division goes on a local area cross-curricular field trip with further cross curricular links.

LQ: Europe.
This gives us a chance to introduce an awareness of Europe and its current expansion as well as topical issues, which arise each year. An in depth study of Italy combines with Microsoft Excel skills generated in ICT which are then used to process data on regional economic disparity.

CQ: Natural Hazards and their impact on People.
This is a popular and topical. It begins our coverage of the mainstream GCSE syllabus and lessons are taught to a GCSE standard. Each Pupil is also expected to complete a power point presentation on a Natural Hazard of their choice.

Removes and Fifths - GCSE

OCR: C, Bristol Project; 1988

GCSE Geography builds on the enquiry approach and geographical skills which have been introduced in the Fourth Form foundation course. It covers the knowledge of places through a balanced core of human and physical geography in five major themes: Physical Systems and Environments; Natural Hazards and People; Economic Systems and Development; Population and Settlement; Sustainable Development. There is an emphasis on decision-making, problem-solving and heightened awareness of environmental issues. Each theme offers the opportunity to develop ICT use and provides a beneficial foundation knowledge for other post-GCSE studies such as Economics. Assessment is modular and comprises coursework (20%), made up of one investigation based on coastal fieldwork undertaken at Seaford in the CQ of the Remove year, and a Decision-Making Exercise (30%) based on a pre-prepared topical environmental issue in the LQ of the Fifth Form. A single, terminal examination (50%) completes the course. GCSE is not a prerequisite for A Level, but is advantageous.

P J Deakin

Specialists - OCR A level

This course offers a balanced approach of Human and Physical geography which builds on a wide range of GCSE syllabuses. The course combines the benefits of a traditional core focus on key conceptual elements of Physical and Human Geography in the first year and a synoptic study of more contemporary Environmental and Global issues in the second year.

GCSE Requirements

Although A level candidates are expected to have studied GCSE Geography there is some scope for those who have not followed a GCSE course.

Outline of the course
  • Unit 1 is a module on Managing Physical Environments. The topics covered are river environments, coastal environments, cold environments, and hot, arid and semi-arid environments. Assessment involves both short answer data response questions and extended writing.
  • Unit 2 is a module on Managing Change in Human Environment. The topics covered are managing rural change, managing urban change, the energy issue and the growth of tourism. Assessment involves both short answer data response questions and extended writing.
  • Unit 3 considers Global Issues under two main themes: environmental issues and economic issues.
    It is a synoptic paper in two parts that requires extended and essay writing. The environmental issues studied are earth hazards and ecosystems and environments under threat. The economic issues studied are population and resources and globalisation.
  • Unit 4 is the Geographical Skills paper. This covers enquiry skills and investigative research techniques that are developed through the teaching of the other units and fieldwork throughout the two year course.  Investigative enquiries and research work will be completed in both years based on fieldwork using data collected from research and field trips. There is no coursework element in this A level. Assessment involves both short answer data response questions and extended writing.
Skills acquired

Fieldwork is an essential part of both years of the course and takes place in the local area, during two residential trips to the Lake District and Dorset and on possible overseas trips planned to fit in with the new syllabus themes. This provides opportunities for the pursuit of a wide range of key skills, including statistical analysis and the use and interpretation of GIS information.  The pupils work in groups for data collection and need to develop their IT skills for the processing of the data collected in the field. Their literacy and intellectual skills are fully developed with the need to write extended answers as well as synoptic essays. Evaluation, problem solving and decision making are also key elements in most of the A level units.

Combinations with other subjects

Geography has a strong academic link with a wide variety of other subjects. Already we have developed strong cross-curricular links with Biology and Chemistry. The scientific content in the physical and environmental aspects of the course enhances the links with all three sciences; the human, economic and global aspects have similarly clear links with History, Economics and Government and Politics. Linguists are naturally interested in the geography of their chosen country.

University course and careers

Geography may be accepted as either a science or humanities A level which makes the subject very helpful for a wide range of university courses. A level geographers also develop one of the broadest ranges of transferable skills for university study and beyond as studying the subject promotes both analytical rigour and a sense of scientific enquiry. A good proportion of our pupils continue with Geography or related courses such as Geology, Land Economy, Planning and Environmental Sciences at university. There is an impressive range of careers for Geography graduates who are valued for their flexibility of thought in dealing with complex environmental and human systems.

P.J. Deakin