Geography

We are following the Edexcel GCSE Geography A which consists of 4 units covered at KS4 over 3 years.

In Year 9 Geography teaching is a ‘transitional year’ from Humanities (KS3) into GCSE. The topics taught include the fundamentals of processes and patterns in Geography, and core geographical skills. These are used to ‘bridge the gap’ and to build for more depth for the   2 year planned GCSE course. In Year 9 Human and Physical topics covered include: Weathering, Rivers and Coast, Population, Settlement and Map Reading Skills

KS4 GEOGRAPHY – 2 year course plan

Unit 1: Geographical Skills and Challenges (Year 10)

This unit will build on the skills learned in Years 7, 8 and 9 and give them new challenges and the opportunity to develop more advanced skills appropriate for a GCSE geographer. They will learn about two of the major issues facing the world today – climate change and sustainable development.

(Unit 1) is incorporated throughout the 3 years of KS5 teaching)

Unit 2: The Natural Environment ( Year 10)

This unit is based on physical geography and will focus on all of the following topics:

• Coastal Landscapes
• River Landscapes
• Tectonic Landscapes.

Plus one option:

• A Watery World.

Unit 3: The Human Environment ( Year 11)

This unit is based on human geography and we will study ALL of the following topics:

• Economic Change
• Settlement Change
• Population Change

Plus one option:

• A Moving World

Unit 4: Investigating Geography ( Year 10 into Year 11)

This unit will involve going out of the school to carry out fieldwork and then writing it up. The final writing up will be carried out in class time. Controlled Assessment has replaced Coursework.

Each unit is worth 25 % of the final GCSE grade

Course Assessment:

Units 1-3 will be assessed through 3 separate 1hour15 mins external exams. According to new government regulations, these exams will all be taken at the end of Year 11.