The A Level Geography course aims to equip candidates with the skills required to make a success of their subsequent studies at university, involving not only a solid grounding in specialist subject knowledge at an appropriate level, but also the ability to undertake independent and self-directed learning and to think laterally, critically and creatively. Although designed for candidates intending to continue their studies in Higher Education, the skills fostered also provide solid grounding for candidates intending to progress directly into employment or professional training. Studying Geography involves: • investigating the interaction of people with their environment • understanding the processes and factors that shape that environment • understanding how both the physical environment influences people and how people influence the physical environment • recognising that these interactions create opportunities and problems, which require careful management • understanding that management needs to be sustainable to maintain the environment for future generations developing the enquiry skills necessary to understand and explain these geographical issues.
For 16+ entry into our Sixth Form, your daughter will be required to sit three examination papers during the first week of November in the year prior to entry. Two of these papers are in subjects which your daughter is currently studying, or which she wishes to study in the Sixth Form at Downe House, as well as a General paper. These examinations are usually taken at your daughter’s current school and practice papers are available on request. Candidates are required to achieve a minimum of seven I/GCSE examinations at Grade 6 (B) or above, preferably with Grade 9/8 (A*) in those subjects she wishes to study in the Sixth Form. If your daughter does not follow an education system with formal examinations at 16+, further testing may be required and a transcript of grades acquired from their previous school. On completion of examination papers, successful candidates will be invited for an interview by the Head of Sixth Form and the Headmistress at the end of November. Offers will be made in December. There are also a number of scholarships available for pupils joining the Sixth Form. We strongly recommend early registration for your daughter. All offers and places are completed by April of the year prior to entry and availability of places in our Sixth Form is very limited.
Paper 1: Physical Systems 22% 1 hour 30 minutes. This focuses on different types of physical environment, with an emphasis on the interrelationships between physical and human components of these environments. Candidates must answer questions in two sections. Section A: Landscape Systems (Coasts) Section B: Earth’s Life Support Systems (Ecosystems) Question types will include: short answer, levels of response and extended prose. Paper 2: Human Interactions 22% 1 hour 30 minutes. This focuses on selected aspects of human activity from a geographical viewpoint. Candidates must answer questions in two sections. Section A: Changing Spaces, Making Places Section B: Global Connections (Human Rights and Global Migration) Paper 3: Geographical Debates 36% 2 hours 30 minutes. Candidates must answer questions in two sections. Section A: Hazardous Earth Section B: Disease Dilemmas Question types will include: short answer, levels of response and essay style questions Paper 4: Investigative Geography 20% Students will complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed independently by the student relating to any part of the specification content. The investigation will be between 3,000– 4,000 words and will be marked by Geography A Level staff, these will then be moderated by the AQA.
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | West Berkshire |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £47,760 |
| Sixth Form Fee | Day £35,520 |
| Address | Cold Ash, Thatcham, RG18 9JJ |
The A Level Geography course aims to equip candidates with the skills required to make a success of their subsequent studies at university, involving not only a solid grounding in specialist subject knowledge at an appropriate level, but also the ability to undertake independent and self-directed learning and to think laterally, critically and creatively. Although designed for candidates intending to continue their studies in Higher Education, the skills fostered also provide solid grounding for candidates intending to progress directly into employment or professional training. Studying Geography involves: • investigating the interaction of people with their environment • understanding the processes and factors that shape that environment • understanding how both the physical environment influences people and how people influence the physical environment • recognising that these interactions create opportunities and problems, which require careful management • understanding that management needs to be sustainable to maintain the environment for future generations developing the enquiry skills necessary to understand and explain these geographical issues.
For 16+ entry into our Sixth Form, your daughter will be required to sit three examination papers during the first week of November in the year prior to entry. Two of these papers are in subjects which your daughter is currently studying, or which she wishes to study in the Sixth Form at Downe House, as well as a General paper. These examinations are usually taken at your daughter’s current school and practice papers are available on request. Candidates are required to achieve a minimum of seven I/GCSE examinations at Grade 6 (B) or above, preferably with Grade 9/8 (A*) in those subjects she wishes to study in the Sixth Form. If your daughter does not follow an education system with formal examinations at 16+, further testing may be required and a transcript of grades acquired from their previous school. On completion of examination papers, successful candidates will be invited for an interview by the Head of Sixth Form and the Headmistress at the end of November. Offers will be made in December. There are also a number of scholarships available for pupils joining the Sixth Form. We strongly recommend early registration for your daughter. All offers and places are completed by April of the year prior to entry and availability of places in our Sixth Form is very limited.
Paper 1: Physical Systems 22% 1 hour 30 minutes. This focuses on different types of physical environment, with an emphasis on the interrelationships between physical and human components of these environments. Candidates must answer questions in two sections. Section A: Landscape Systems (Coasts) Section B: Earth’s Life Support Systems (Ecosystems) Question types will include: short answer, levels of response and extended prose. Paper 2: Human Interactions 22% 1 hour 30 minutes. This focuses on selected aspects of human activity from a geographical viewpoint. Candidates must answer questions in two sections. Section A: Changing Spaces, Making Places Section B: Global Connections (Human Rights and Global Migration) Paper 3: Geographical Debates 36% 2 hours 30 minutes. Candidates must answer questions in two sections. Section A: Hazardous Earth Section B: Disease Dilemmas Question types will include: short answer, levels of response and essay style questions Paper 4: Investigative Geography 20% Students will complete an individual investigation which must include data collected in the field. The individual investigation must be based on a question or issue defined and developed independently by the student relating to any part of the specification content. The investigation will be between 3,000– 4,000 words and will be marked by Geography A Level staff, these will then be moderated by the AQA.