KS3
At Key Stage 3, Geography provides students with a foundational understanding of both physical and human geography, helping them develop essential skills such as critical thinking, map reading, data interpretation, and fieldwork. The curriculum at this stage is designed to introduce students to geographical concepts and to encourage them to explore the world around them, considering the relationships between people, places, and the environment.
GCSE
At GCSE, students’ study both the physical and human aspects of geography, developing skills that are useful in understanding how the world works, from natural processes like climate change to human issues like urbanisation.
The GCSE Geography course is split into two main units, each focusing on different areas of geographical study.
- Unit 1: The Physical Environment (40% of GCSE)
- Content: This unit covers key physical geography topics, including:
- The world’s weather and climate systems
- Rivers and coasts (landforms, processes, and management)
- Ecosystems and biomes
- Natural hazards (e.g., volcanoes, earthquakes, and tsunamis)
- Assessment: External written exam (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Content: This unit covers key physical geography topics, including:
- Unit 2: The Human Environment (40% of GCSE)
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- Content: This unit focuses on human geography, exploring the interaction between people and the environment. Topics include:
- Population and migration (demographic changes, migration patterns)
- Urbanization and cities (the growth and management of cities)
- Development issues (poverty, inequality, sustainable development)
- Global issues (e.g., globalization, international trade)
- Assessment: External written exam (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Content: This unit focuses on human geography, exploring the interaction between people and the environment. Topics include:
- Unit 3: Geographical Skills (20% of GCSE)
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- Content: This unit focuses on the practical application of geographical skills, including map reading, data collection, and analysis, often through fieldwork.
- Assessment: Controlled assessment, which typically includes a fieldwork investigation report.
AS and A2 Level
AS Level
At the AS Level, students are introduced to a range of geographical concepts, with an emphasis on physical and human geography, as well as developing investigative and analytical skills.
- AS Unit 1: PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY (40% of AS, 16% of A Level)
Content: Students study the physical environment, including:
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- Fluvial environments
- Ecosystems
- Weather and Climate
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Assessment: External written exam (1 hour 30 minutes)
- AS Unit 2: HUMAN GEOGRAPHY (40% of AS, 16% of A Level)
Content: This unit examines human geography, focusing on:
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- Population and resources
- Settlement changes
- Development
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Assessment: External written exam (1 hour 30 minutes)
- AS Unit 3: FIELDWORK (20% of AS, 8% of A Level)
Content: an unseen paper based on primary data collected during fieldwork.
Assessment: External written exam (1 hour)
A2 Level Geography
At A2 Level, students build on the knowledge acquired in the AS year, focusing on more advanced geographical concepts and their application to contemporary issues.
- A2 Unit 1: Physical Processes, landforms and management (24% of A Level)
Content: This unit has 4 optional topics- the teacher will choose to complete 2 of these;
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- Plate tectonics
- Tropical Ecosystems
- Dynamic Environments
- Climate Change
Assessment: External written exam (1 hour 15 minutes)
- A2 Unit 2: Processes and issues in human geography (24% of A Level)
Content: This unit has 4 optional topics- the teacher will choose to complete 2 of these.
- Cultural Geography
- Planning for sustainable settlements
- Ethnic Diversity
- Tourism
Assessment: External written exam (1 hour 15 minutes)
- A2 Unit 3: Decision Making in Geography (12% of A Level)
Content: Students tackle complex geographical problems, using their knowledge to make informed decisions on real-world scenarios. Topics may include:
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- Environmental management
- Resource management
- Sustainable development
- Climate change and its impacts
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Assessment: External written exam (1 hour)