History IGCSE

Geography

OCR B - J384

Geography is the study of Earth’s landscapes, peoples, places, and environments. It makes a significant contribution in providing students with the necessary skills to question some of the biggest issues facing society - for example, sustainable development, global warming, population growth, migration, conflict, natural hazards and renewable energy. Geography is an integral ‘educational cog’ in understanding the past, present and future of our planet.

THE COURSE TOPICS PROVIDE AN EVEN SPLIT BETWEEN BOTH PHYSICAL AND HUMAN GEOGRAPHY.

The Physical Geography topics include ‘Global hazards’, ‘Changing climate’, ‘Distinctive landscapes’ and ‘Sustaining ecosystems’. These develop an understanding and appreciation of the natural world that students live in and why it looks the way it does. They study the rich diversity of landscapes and ecosystems which are changing through different phenomena and processes.

As well as how landscapes are formed and how they can influence people, global issues and different countries are also explored. The Human Geography topics include ‘Urban futures’, ‘Dynamic development’, ‘UK in the 21st century’ and ‘Resource reliance’. Students will explore the social, cultural, political and economic forces that make places unique, and how these change over time and space, particularly the growth of urbanisation and the challenges of feeding an evergrowing population.

In addition to learning the topics mentioned, students will learn to ‘think synoptically’. They will draw on geographical knowledge, understanding and skills that have been developed during the course to demonstrate their understanding of the connections between the different elements of the subject.

Our subject enables students to acquire knowledge and understanding of a plethora of places, cultures, physical and human environments and geographical patterns at a range of scales. Geographers also develop and apply geographical skills, including those of mapwork, fieldwork, GIS, IT, literacy, numeracy, how to critically evaluate theories and how to interpret figures effectively. This extensive list of skills and the knowledge obtained provides the perfect foundations for a wide range of A Levels; everything from Biology and Mathematics to Psychology, Business, Economics and Politics.

Geography is great for any kind of career that involves the environment, planning, or collecting and interpreting data. Popular careers for people with Geography qualifications include town or transport planning, GIS surveying, conservation, sustainability, waste and water management, environmental planning, renewable energy development, tourism, and meteorology. The army, police, government, research organisations, law and business world also love the practical research skills that geographers develop.

Fieldwork is integral to our studies and we run two compulsory field trip days for all students. One day is aimed at Human Geography data collection in Stamford. The second day enables students to collect Physical Geography data by investigating how a river changes as it flows downstream. We also run an optional international field trip to Iceland, “the land of ice and fire”.

In addition to the field trips, many other additional opportunities are provided for Stamford’s geographers. These include attending Royal Geographical Society and Geographical Association lectures and being able to participate in our annual ‘Worldwise Geography Quiz’ where students complete geographical challenges against other local schools.

EXAM

Paper 1 Our Natural World

Paper 2 People and Society

Paper 3 Geographical Exploration % Details

35 1 hr 15 mins written paper asking questions about Physical Geography

35 1 hr 15 mins written paper asking questions about Human Geography

30 1 hr 30 mins written paper asking students to make and justify an important decision based on a current geographical issue; here students become critical thinkers and develop arguments