There are 3 components:
Living in the UK Today:
This component investigates the dynamic and diverse geography of the UK. It draws on a range of themes to explore the changing but distinctive physical and human environments, the processes which drive them and the challenges they create. Topics covered:
- Landscapes of the UK
- People of the UK
- UK Environmental Challenges
The World Around Us:
This component explores the complexities of the planet and the interconnections that take place. It draws on a range of themes to examine the changing, dynamic nature of physical and human environments, the role of decision makers and the sustainable nature and management of these environments. Topics covered include:
- Ecosystems of the Planet
- People of the Planet
- Environmental threats to our Planet
Geographical Skills
Geographical skills are fundamental to the study and practice of geography. They are integrated into all aspects of the subject. Themes covered include:
- Geographical Skills
- Fieldwork Assessment
Year 10
Autumn Term
Geographical Skills Landscapes of the UK
We begin with learning a wide range of geographical skills such as cartography, data analysis and data presentation. These are underpinning elements of the entire GCSE course, and will be vital when we undertake fieldwork in the summer term. Landscapes of the UK is about the physical geography of the UK, its key landscapes and the geomorphic processes which have driven the changes to UK landscapes. The topic begins with an overview of upland, lowland and glaciated landscapes. We then study geomorphic processes such as erosion and deposition, linking back to and building upon KS3 content. We also study a number of coastal and river landforms, including their formation and human interactions.
Spring Term
Landscapes of the UK People of the UK
People of the UK is about the population and human characteristics of the UK. We study the UK’s diverse society, causes and consequences of uneven development, the UK’s ageing population. We then study urban trends in the UK, such as suburbanisation, and apply our learning to a case study of London.
Summer Term
Fieldwork Uk Environmental challenges
During the fieldwork units, students have the opportunity to plan and carry out two geographical investigations. We take students on two field trips, usually to Stratford upon Avon and Carding Mill Valley to collect their data. We then use the skills learnt at the beginning of the year to analyse the data.
In the UK Environmental Challenges unit, we study the climate of the UK, flood events in the UK, human modifications to the environment, energy sources, and the supply and demand of energy in the UK.
Year 11
Autumn Term
Ecosystems of the Planet
In this unit we study the global distribution of ecosystems, the threats to tropical rainforests and coral reefs, and the attempts to manage these environments.
Spring Term
People of the Planet
In People of the Planet, we study the causes and consequences of uneven development, urbanisation in LIDCs, and the challenges faced globally by cities.
Summer Term
Environmental threats to our Planet
In the final topic, we study how the climate has changed from the Quaternary period to the present day. We study the causes and consequences of climate change, the global atmospheric circulation, and case studies of extreme weather.
Assessment at Key stage 4
- Living in the UK Today (01) – 1 hour written paper (30% of total GCSE);
- The World Around Us (02) – 1 hour written paper (30% of total GCSE)
- Geographical Skills (03) – 1 hour 30 minutes written paper (40% of total GCSE)
How can parents help support their child’s learning?
In order to be successful on the course students will need to have the following skills:
Literacy – to be able to ‘write like a geographer’, with concise language and good use of key terminology. Organisation – to ensure that all deadlines are met and that students prepare well for assessments in lessons and formal examinations.
Students will be able to apply a variety of geographical skills in familiar and novel contexts. The course will embed and contextualise the skills in the content of Living in the UK Today (01) and The World Around Us (02). Listed below are just a few of the skills students will develop:
Cartographic skills – select, adapt and construct maps.
Graphical skills – effectively present and communicate data through graphs and charts, whilst developing the skill to extract, interpret, analyse and evaluate information.
Numerical and statistical skills – cross-curricular skills which can be adapted from mathematics.
There are revision guides available from school (we use the ‘Hodder’ guide). Websites such as SENECA and BBC Bitesize are also useful, although pupils need to ensure they fit our specification requirements.
Students also have access to a plethora of lessons and revision materials which are available on their dedicated Google Classroom.
Enrichment opportunities
Pupils attend compulsory fieldwork opportunities, which previously have been to Stratford-Upon-Avon to investigate tourism, and Carding Mill Valley to conduct a river study.
GCSE course/s (exam board and code)
