Option Subject – Examination Board used AQA (Syllabus A)
Tiers available: Higher and Foundation
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What is GCSE Geography all about?
- You live in the world – why not find out more about the challenges and opportunities it offers, and how to get involved?
- Discover how people are using different environments, both your own and those in other parts of the world.
- Investigate issues of sustainability – will the Earth still be able to provide us with all the resources we take for granted now?
- How have different landscapes developed – what are the great natural forces involved?
- How do tourists affect the areas they visit – what are the benefits and challenges?
- What causes ‘natural disasters’ like floods, earthquakes and volcanoes? How can people cope with them?
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Will I enjoy this course?
- is relevant to the world you live in, and to your future
- encourages you to discuss current affairs and issues
- focuses on the environment
- involves practical work outdoors
is studied through investigation, not just listening and reading - develops a full range of skills that will be useful in other subjects you study, and in particular the ability to think independently.
You will enjoy this course if you want to study a subject that:
You have already developed a range of relevant skills and knowledge from your study of Geography at Key Stage 3. The GCSE course will take you further and will introduce you to new skills, places and ideas. You will also be able to apply what you are learning and understand more about how people’s decisions shape the world in which we live.
What about examinations?
At the end of the Fifth Form, you will take two exam papers. The first paper focuses more on the ‘Human’ aspects you have learned on the course. There is a choice of questions on the topics you have studied. Each question is broken down into a number of shorter parts. The second paper tests the ‘Physical’ part of the course, and has an emphasis on skills, with more practical questions. You may have to complete a graph or sketch for example, or find and use information from maps and photographs.
What about the coursework?
You will undertake some fieldwork as part of your course, where you go out and put your skills and knowledge into practice. The information for this will not come from textbooks or videos, but will be an opportunity for you to investigate what is happening in the real world. You must write up a report of your investigation, which should include diagrams and graphs to present more fully the information you have found out. This is now examined as a controlled assessment in the computer room.
Your teacher allocates marks for the assessment and they go towards your final exam result. You will have plenty of time to carry all this out, and it means that you won’t just be judged on how well you do on the day of the exam.
Geography is an ideal subject for developing a full range of skills. You will learn how to research information from a range of sources and present it in a variety of ways, both written and in diagrams. You can get experience of manipulating data, using statistics and ICT software such as databases, spreadsheets and graphics packages. Software programmes are used to develop a better understanding of 1:25000 and 1:50000 mapping and GIS (Geographical Information Systems) are integrated into the teaching. Your fieldwork will help you to develop the skills of organising your own time, and working and co-operating with others. You will also learn to review your own work and progress. These ‘transferable’ skills will not just be useful in your study of Geography, but will help you make progress in many of your other subjects too, both at GCSE and beyond. They are also skills that are highly valued by employers, and will be useful in the world of work.
The Department uses a wide range of teaching styles which will help you develop thinking strategies. ICT is related in a meaningful way with email, use of mobile phones and GPS all linking Geography to the real world.
What could I do next with GCSE Geography?
A GCSE in Geography is a stepping stone to a whole range of future opportunities. The skills you develop will support you in further studies and employment.
A good grade at GCSE will help you move on to any A level course. If you enjoyed your Geography GCSE, you might want to continue with this subject, or study a related subject. Biology, Geology, Environmental Science, Economics, Travel & Tourism and Leisure & Recreation all have close links with some of the material studied for this GCSE. Employment opportunities where your geographical skills will be particularly valued include journalism and media, the law, engineering, business management, ICT, environmental management, teaching, economic planning, marketing, leisure, recreation and tourism.
“Great things are done when men and mountains meet; this is not done by jostling in the street”
William Blake (1757 – 1827 Poet, visionary and painter]