History

Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment (35% of total assessment)

Section A – Challenge of Natural Hazards

Section B – Living World

Section C – Physical Landscapes in the UK

Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment (35% of total assessment)

Section A – Urban issues and challenges

Section B – The Changing Economic World

Section C – The Challenge of Resource Management

Tectonic hazards Tropical Storms Extreme Weather in the UK Climate change

Ecosystems Tropical Rainforests Hot deserts

Coastal landscapes and management River landscapes and management

The global pattern of Urban Change Urban change and challenge in a Low Income Country (LIC) Urban change and challenge in a High Income Country (HIC) Sustainable development in an urban area

Economic development and quality of life Reducing the global Development Gap Economic development in a LIC or NEE Economic change in the UK

Global Resource Management Resource management for the UK Water supply and issues

Section A – Issue Evaluation Exercise

Section B – Fieldwork Investigation and geographical Skills

Critical thinking and problem-solving exercise based on a pre-released thematic resource pack. This examines the students’ geographical skills of analysing a range of resources (sketches, graphs, maps etc.) and their ability to synthesize and critically assess the information provided taking into consideration the viewpoint of different stakeholders.

Students must undertake two contrasting enquiries that include the collection of primary data through geographical fieldwork. It is anticipated that these fieldwork opportunities will take place in Summer Term of Year 10.

Enrichment

Fieldwork is an integral part of the course so students should look forward to trips to local destinations where they can witness the theory in action. Pupils should also begin to look at the world around them with a keener geographical gaze and may be invited to attend lectures/conferences, take part in the Geographical Association annual competition, and are encouraged to regularly read the WideWorld magazine.

Future pathways

Geography’s integrating nature makes it a good choice at A Level since it combines easily with maths, sciences, creative arts subjects and other humanities. It provides you with key transferable skills that are valued by employers in specific areas such as town planning, architecture, environmental conservation, journalism, leisure and tourism or civil engineering. More widely, it is highly regarded by financial (banking) and ICT industries as well as businesses where management roles are often filled by geographers.