Geography - KS5

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Students at SJB study geography in order to develop a sense of awe and wonder about places and people at all levels, from the personal, local to the global.

Our department strives to inspire students to have a love of the world around them and we will do this through varied activities inside and outside of the classroom. We aim to ensure Geography becomes a lifelong love of our students and encourages their questioning, investigation and critical thinking about issues affecting the world and people’s lives, now and in the future….

 

Qualification: A-Level

Exam Board: Edexcel

Coursework:  20%

Exam: 80%

Exam Structure: 3 x 2hr 30min exam papers sat in the summer of Year 13

Link to specification: https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-a-levels/geography-2016.html

 

The Geography A level course is wide ranging and covers many contemporary issues. If you are passionate about how the world works and want to play your part in solving the big problems of our time, this subject is for you. With an equal balance between physical and human geography, it offers something for everyone’s strengths and interests. You will also have the chance to get out and see the world by participating in our compulsory fieldwork trip to Swanage and the optional trip abroad (location TBC). You will gain many transferable skills, useful for any degree, as the course builds your evaluative, synthesis, graphical and literacy skills.

Where can this subject lead to - 

  • Can lead to a wide range of careers in environmental, planning, and social science fields, or it can be used to pursue degrees in related subjects like geology, environmental science, or civil engineering.

  • Due to its blend of human and physical geography, it also equips students with valuable transferable skills, opening doors to careers in business, finance, law, and even media. 

The entry requirements for this course is a minimum of a grade 6 at Geography GCSE. Desire a grade 6 in Maths and a grade 6 in English

The course is assessed through 3 exams 2hr and 30 mins and and Independant Investigation. 

  • Paper 1 – Dynamic Landscapes (30% of the qualification).
  • Paper 2 – Dynamic Places (30% of the qualification)
  • Paper 3 – Synoptic Geography (20% of the qualification)
  • Independent Investigation (20% of the qualification)

 

Paper 1 – Dynamic Landscapes (30% of the qualification).
Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards
Topic 2: Coastal Landscapes and Change
Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

 

Paper 2 – Dynamic Places (30% of the qualification)
Topic 3: Globalisation
Topic 4: Shaping Places – including Regenerating Places
Topic 7: Superpowers
Topic 8: Global Development and Connections including Health, Human Rights and Intervention

 

Paper 3 – Synoptic Geography (20% of the qualification)
The specification contains three synoptic themes: Players, Attitudes and Actions, Futures/Uncertainties. A geographical issue within a place-based context will form the basis to the synoptic investigation. It links to the three synoptic themes and is has foundations in two or more of the compulsory content areas. Students will apply their knowledge and skills from across the course to this paper and show that they can think synoptically.

 

Independent Investigation (20% of the qualification)
Following a series of 4 fieldwork days, students complete an independent investigation. They will define a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The choice may be related to any aspect of geography contained within the specification.  The student’s investigation will incorporate fieldwork data (collected individually or as part of a group) and own research and/or secondary data.  The fieldwork, which forms the focus and context of the individual investigation, may be either human, physical or a mixture of both physical and human. The investigation report will follow the process of enquiry and utilise evidence, independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing.

 

 

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