Geography
Nicholas Breakspear Catholic School - Hertfordshire
01727860079
Colney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TT
Course summary

This course is for students who want to continue studying geography after GCSE. You'll already be familiar with some of the topics, but the A level will give you the chance to study these and some new ones, in much greater depth. It's for you if you are interested in current global issues like climate change, migration and environmental degradation. You might be choosing geography because you're headed for a career in a geography-related occupation though it will give you a set of skills that can be used in a whole variety of careers. For some geography-related careers, it's good to have studied geography in combination with subjects like maths, chemistry, physics or biology. The course will cover physical and human geography. You'll explore the physical world, focusing on topics such as dynamic landscapes including glacial and coastal change, water and carbon cycles. You'll explore globalisation, the environment and population change. You'll investigate resource security - how water, energy and minerals are geographically distributed and exploited as well as the influence of superpowers on the global economy, political systems and the physical environment. You'll learn practical fieldwork skills including research, observation, data recording, analysis and interpretation and how to present your findings. Through case studies, lectures, presentations, discussions, films, individual and group project work and debates. You will be expected to undertake private study including research, revision and homework tasks. There will be field trips and visits to relevant organisations. You will have the opportunity to attend university geography talks and guest lectures. There will be presentations from professionals using geography in their careers as well as higher education experts.

Entry requirements

Average GCSE Point Score of 5+ including English and Maths. A minimum of a Grade 5 in Geography.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment is through the final examination at the end of the course. There are 3 written examination papers, each of 2 hours 15 minutes duration. The remaining 20% is assessed via a 3000 to 4000-word teacher marked, fieldwork investigation study.

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionEast of England
Local AuthorityHertfordshire
Ofsted RatingOutstanding
Gender TypeCo-Educational
AddressColney Heath Lane, St Albans, AL4 0TT