Course Outline
Key Stage 3 Geography pupils experience a diverse range of both Physical and Human Geography over three years. Topics studied at Key Stage 3 include:
- Year 8: What is Geography? Rivers, Economic Activity and Settlement
- Year 9: Globalisation, Geography of Crime, People and Resources and Global Warming
- Year 10: Development, Tectonic Activity, Tourism and Fair Trade
Assessment
- An assessment will be set at the end of each topic. This will be an extended homework, assignment or class test
- Each assessment will carry 10% of the pupil’s final mark in June
- The results of each assessment are recorded for monitoring
- Departmental letters will be sent home for missed or unsatisfactory homework and/or underachievement in assessments
- A further 10% of the pupil’s final mark will be rewarded on the quality of their notebook
- All pupils sit a final one-hour exam in June which will make up the remaining percentage over their overall grade
Coursework
Pupils will be involved in Fieldwork in Year 8 and Year 10
Study/Homework Requirements:
- One significant Geography homework will be given each week
- Pupils are encouraged to have their homework signed
- If a pupil is absent when homework is given, it is his responsibility to find out what the homework is and to complete it as soon as possible
Key Points To Success:
In addition to the weekly homework pupils are strongly advised to:
- Spend 5-10 minutes only on the evening after a Geography class or in a study period following a Geography class reading through their latest notes and simply underlining the key words/terms.
- Regularly summarise notes onto flash cards or into a separate revision notebook.
- Keep a record or a checklist of Key Terms and Vocabulary to revise from.
Course Outline
GCSE Geography consists of two papers plus an individual project over two years.
Year 11, Paper 1: Physical Geography
- Rivers
- Coasts
- Changing Weather
- The Restless Earth
Year 12, Paper 2: Human Geography
- Population
- Urban areas
- World Development
- Managing Resources
Assessment
Year 11 students sit an exam in June (37.5% of total GCSE)
Year 12 students sit an exam in June (37.5% of total GCSE)
Year 12 Fieldwork Exam is (25% of total GCSE)
Coursework
No Coursework. Fieldwork is assessed through an exam
Study/Homework Requirements:
One significant geography homework will be given to pupils each week. This may take the form of a written piece, research or revision. Pupils are expected to spend a minimum of 30-40 minutes to complete each exercise.
At the end of each topic everyone will be assessed in a class test based on past papers.
These results are recorded in a Departmental File for monitoring.
Key Points To Success:
In addition to the weekly homework pupils are strongly advised to:
- Spend 10 – 15 minutes only on the evening after a Geography class or in a study period following a Geography class reading through their last notes and simply underlining the key words/terms.
- Regularly summarise Case Studies onto flash cards or into a separate revision notebook.
- Keep a record or a checklist of Key Terms and Vocabulary to revise from.
Course Outline
A/S-A2 Geography course consists of two papers in Year 13 and two papers in Year 14.
Pupils will also complete a fieldwork exercise in both Year 13 and 14, but there is no coursework requirement for this specification.
Year 13
- AS 1: Physical Geography: Rivers, Ecosystems & Atmosphere
- AS 2: Human Geography: Population, Settlement & Development
- AS 2: Fieldwork & Skills
Year 14
- A2 1: (i) Human Geography: Impact of Population Change & Issues in Ethnic Diversity;
- A2 1: (ii) Global Issues: The Ecotourism Debate.
- A2 2: (i) Physical Geography: Fluvial and Coastal Environments & The Dynamic Earth.
- A2 3: (i) Decision-Making
Assessment
Year 13
- AS 1: Physical Geography, 1 hour
- AS 2: Human Geography, 1 hour
- AS 3: Fieldwork & Skills
Year 14
- A2 1: Human Geography and Global Issues, 1 hour 30 minutes
- A2 2: Physical Geography, 1 hours 30 minutes
- A2 3: Decision-Making, 1 hours 30 minutes
Coursework
There is no coursework requirement for this specification.
Year 13 pupils must take part in fieldwork in which will be tested in A/S Paper 1 Fieldwork Skills
Study/Homework Requirements:
The majority of senior pupils are taught by two teachers and will therefore be expected to receive a minimum of two pieces of homework each week. Senior pupils should preferably be engaged in homework each night that they have Geography.
Each unit of work will be assessed through the use of past-paper exams and class tests in December and April for both years will provide the bases of a ‘mock’ exam in all papers in the absence of formal ‘mock’ school exams.
Key Points To Success:
In addition to the weekly homework pupils are strongly advised to:
- Spend 20-30 minutes only on the evening after a Geography class or in a study period following a Geography class reading through their most recent notes and simply underlining the key words
- Regularly summarise Case Studies onto flash cards or into a separate revision notebook
- Keep a record or a checklist of Key Terms and Vocabulary to revise from
- Read around the subject and use the school’s library resources and the internet.
- Watch or read media sources e.g. the news or the internet
