Michael Palin
“Geography explains the past, illuminates the present and prepares us for the future. What could be more important than that?”
GCSE Course Choices Video
What is our curriculum intent?
Geography will give you the opportunity to find out about many aspects of change on our planet, a knowledge base that will inform the rest of your life. The course will give you the chance to get to grips with some of the big questions which affect our world and understand the social, economic and physical forces and processes which shape and change our world.
The breadth of the subject means it complements many other subjects. Partly because the subject combines knowledge of science and an understanding of the humanities, geographers are highly employable.
How do we implement our curriculum?
Students who choose geography will follow the new AQA Specification for GCSE geography. The course will consist of three key components, Living with the Physical Environment, Challenges in the Human Environment and Geographical Application. The topics that the students will study are as follows:
Living with the Physical Environment
- Tectonic Hazards
- Weather and Climate
- Coasts
- Rivers
- Ecosystems and Tropical rainforests
- Hot Deserts
Challenges in the Human Environment
- Urban issues and challenges.
- Changing economic world.
- Resource management with a focus on either water, food or Energy.
Geographical Applications
- Field work and numeracy skills.
- Decision making exercise based on pre-release material.
Students looking to study GCSE Geography will need the following qualities:
- A genuine interest in the world around you and the people on the planet
- The ability to write clearly and concisely
- The ability to use numerical data accurately and to present results appropriately
- The willingness to work hard and research topics independently
How do we measure the impact of the course?
There are 3 exams at the end of the course. Paper 1, 1 hour 30mins (35%), Paper 2 1 hour 30mins (35%), Paper 3, 1 hour 30%
Papers one and two are divided into 3 sections, and will be a mixture of multiple choice, short answers and for each section there will be one case study answer that will be worth 9 marks.
Paper three is divided into two section. Section A will be a decision making exercise based around pre-release material and section B will be questions based around students’ experience of field work.
What we teach when
Year 10
Year 11
How can students be supported through learning at home?
Conscientious completion of homework consolidates understanding, extends knowledge and provides valuable practice of the techniques required to perform well in examinations. In addition, every opportunity taken to discuss geographical issues arising in the news, whether the impact of climate change, how to provide sustainable energy or the implications of migration, will be highly beneficial.
How are students grouped?
Groups are determined by the numbers in each option pool. Students are taught in mixed ability groups.
What extra opportunities to learn are available?
The Geography Team provide regular general revision, study support and catch-up sessions. In addition individual geography teachers organise more targeted extra sessions when required. There is also an extensive resource area on firefly that can be used by both students and parents.
What websites do we recommend?
The current examination board specification and examples of new exam papers can be found here.
Students looking to consolidate, enrich or extend their knowledge and understanding might find the following websites useful:
Revision websites
Contact
Mrs C Stirling, Curriculum Team Leader - Geography- cstirling@wilmslowhigh.com