Course Title: GCSE Geography
Examination Board: Edexcel
Entry Requirements (if appropriate): Not Applicable
Contact: Miss L Nicholson
Course Aims:
The aim of the course is to help pupils understand the world we live in and how it is constantly changing. Pupils will gain an insight into the relationships between people and their environment. The Geography GCSE help them develop transferable skills such as enquiry and decision making, which are an asset in the complex world of employment today.
Course Description:
Unit 1: Dynamic Planet - This unit will give pupils a sound understanding of important physical processes such as geological processes, ecosystems, the atmosphere and climate, and the hydrological cycle. These topics are interlinked and although they may study them separately the unit is designed to show them how physical geography combines to create a ‘life support system’ for the planet.
Unit 2: People and the Planet - This unit focuses on human geography. In a similar way to Unit 1, it links together to build an overall understanding of human geography. Pupils will study how populations grow and change, where people live and work, and how they exploit and use resources.
Unit 3: Making Geographical Decisions - This unit is a decision-making exercise, where pupils study a specific topic, such as Antarctica, in detail. This is designed to teach them how to make decisions about a specific topic, based on the evidence studied.
Unit 4: Researching Geography - This will involve undertaking research, carrying out fieldwork and then writing it up. The research and fieldwork can be undertaken out of class, but the writing up will all be in class time.
Assessment:
The formal assessment consists of Paper 1 a written exam lasting 1 hour based upon Dynamic Planet. Paper 2 is a Decision Making Exercise based upon pre-released material. Paper 3 consists of a 1 hour written exam in Year 11 based upon People and the Planet. Coursework worth 25% of the final marks and is based upon Urban Environments.
How will I learn?
The lessons will have interesting content which will make use of thinking skills activities as well as ICT and relevant video material. A residential field trip will be on offer in year 10.
Possible Career Pathways:
Employers and universities value the broad range of transferable skills that Geography delivers. Geography fits neatly with science, arts and humanities, and geographers also tend to have very good IT skills. A GCSE in Geography is excellent preparation for a career in planning, resource and countryside management, tourism and recreation and, environmental management and development. Many geographers also move into general management careers or branch out into journalism.
Subject summary: Year 7 Geography Programme of Study
In Geography your child is studying the following topics:
Geographical Skills, Settlement, Coasts, Brazil, Rainforests and Industry. The aim of the Y7 Geography course is to help your child develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. By the end of the year your child should be competent in using Ordnance Survey maps and be able to implement the following techniques: grid referencing, symbol interpretation, describing the world around them and being able to understand how different places are. They should have a sound knowledge of how and why settlements grow, with particular reference to towns and cities in the British Isles. Brazil and Rainforests are fascinating topics that and enables your child to develop some subject specific skills: data interpretation and analysis, photographic interpretation, classification, debate and discussion, group-work and co-operative skills.
Subject summary: Year 8 Geography Programme of Study
In Geography your child is studying the following topics:
Development, Globalisation, Italy and the EU and Weather & Climate. The aim of the Y8 Geography course is to help your child develop a deeper understanding of the processes that shape our world, how they affect people and how people adapt to these challenges. They are exploring a variety of issues of global significance such as Third World Debt, Trade & Aid and Globalisation. By the end of the year your child should understand why there is so much inequality in the world and how it arose As well as developing knowledge and understanding your child will develop some subject specific skills: data interpretation and analysis, photographic interpretation, classification, debate and discussion, group-work and co-operative skills.
Subject summary: Year 9 Geography Programme of Study
In Geography your child is studying the following topics:
Population Dynamics, Climate and Change, Restless Earth and Battle for the Biosphere. The aim of the Y9 Geography course is to help your child develop a deeper understanding of the economic, political and environmental forces that shape our world introducing them to topics that will be covered at GCSE level. By the end of the year your child should understand that the planet is a dynamic place, that people can be profoundly affected by the environment and that their actions can have a significant effect on the World. As well as developing strong opinions and a social conscience your child will develop some subject specific skills: data interpretation and analysis, photographic interpretation, classification, debate and discussion, group-work and co-operative skills.
Subject summary: GCSE Geography Programme of Study
At GCSE, Geography students follow the Edexcel syllabus B.
Students study the following topics in Year 10: Restless Earth, Climate and Change, Battle for the Biosphere, Water World, Rivers and Extreme Environments. The also complete a decision making exam paper.
Students study the following topics in Year 11: Population Dynamics, Consuming Resources, Living Spaces, Making a Living, Changing Cities and Development Dilemmas. They also complete their Controlled Assessment.
Students undertake an investigative approach and build upon the skills and knowledge they developed in KS3: data interpretation and analysis, photographic interpretation, classification, debate and discussion, group-work and co-operative skills. The formal assessment consists of Paper 1 a written exam lasting 1 hour based upon Dynamic Planet. Paper 2 is a Decision Making Exercise based upon pre-released material. Paper 3 consists of a 1 hour written exam in Year 11 based upon People and the Planet. Coursework worth 25% of the final marks and is based upon Urban Environments.
