GCSE Geography

Subject leader: Mr M Johnson

Email address: mjohnson@sackvilleschool.org.uk

Exam board: AQA

Course specification: [Click here]

Course Description:

GCSE geography is an exciting, contemporary, issues-based course where we seek to explore the key issues facing today’s world. Geography is an English Baccalaureate subject and prepares students well for future study in humanities, arts and sciences. Central to the course are topics underpinning many of today’s political, environmental and economic issues such as climate change and sustainability.

Examinations at the end of year 11 will test students’ geographical knowledge and skills. Students will take three exams: physical geography, human geography and a geographical skills and field work exam.

Course Units

Unit 1: Challenges in the Physical Environment:

  • Natural Hazards (tectonic hazards, weather hazards and climate change)
  • The Living World (ecosystems, rainforests and deserts)
  • Physical Landscapes in the UK (coasts and rivers)

Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment:

  • Urban Issues and Challenges (megacities, London and Mumbai, urban sustainability)
  • Changing Economic World (development gap, Nigeria and the UK economy)
  • Resource Management (food, energy and water)

Unit 3: Geographical applications and skills:

  • Issue evaluation
  • Field work skills

Field trips:

  • 1 day field trip to East London to study urban regeneration
  • 3 day/2 night field trip to South Wales to complete a river investigation on the River Taff

Assessment:

Unit 1: Challenges in the Physical Environment: 35%

Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment: 35%

Unit 3: Geographical applications and skills: 30%

All geography examinations are a mixture of multiple choice, short and long answer questions, which include a wide variety of stimulus resources, such as maps, diagrams, photos and graphs

Why should I study this course?

Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring a huge variety of exciting cases studies in the United Kingdom and around the world, Topics of study will include climate change, poverty, deprivation, global shifts in economic power and the challenge of sustainable resource use. The course will build students understanding of the world around them, help them engage with world issues and current affairs, and enable them to develop into well-informed global citizens. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.

Student Quote:

“Geography is the most exciting class on my timetable, with every lesson new and engaging. It also means I can reel off great facts at random moments and sound more intellectual than I actually am, which always helps. Did you know the capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou?” Maud, year 11

‘’’The Wales fieldtrip was so much fun, and it really helped me understand the rivers topic by actually measuring a real river!’’ Beth, year 10

‘’’The topics we cover in Geography are really interesting and the teachers are really passionate about the subject too!’’ Joe, year 10

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