Geography is a wide-ranging academic subject (spanning the arts and sciences) that opens up many options for future study. It is highly valued by universities as an A-level choice and geographers are sought after by employers. Geography teaches students to think holistically and equips them with the skills to analyse issues effectively. It is also contemporary; students are engaged with the social, environmental, political and economic issues that are playing out on news screens. Issues of climate change, geopolitics, migration and global disease are some of the pressing issues that are covered in detail, allowing students to understand and contribute to global debate. Geography’s relevance is easy to understand, and students are motivated by its wide-ranging appeal.
The course covers human and physical environments and the complex interaction of processes that shape our world. There are 3 examinations to take which span geography as a discipline. Firstly, Physical Systems, worth 22% of the A-level is examined through a 1.5 hour exam paper. Students answer questions on ‘Coastal Landscape Systems’ which involves an integrated study of the Earth surface processes, landforms and resultant landscapes within the conceptual framework of a systems approach. ‘Earth’s Life Support Systems’ examines the water and carbon cycles and investigates national and global management solutions. Students are tested on a variety of skills and the longest question is worth 16 marks. Secondly, Human Interactions, also worth 22% of the A-level is tested through a 1.5 hour exam. Students answer questions on ‘Changing Spaces, Making Places’ which investigates the spatial patterns of people in places. Students become more familiar with their own local area as well as those further afield. They also study ‘Migration,’ and ‘Power and Borders’ which allows them to explore the processes and flows that occur at a global level, and the ways in which these influence people, places and institutions. Like Paper 1, a variety of skills are tested, and the longest question is worth 16 marks. Thirdly, students sit a synoptic paper called Geographical Debates (worth 36% of the A-level). This paper exposes students to some of the most dynamic issues the planet faces and asks them to engage with, reflect on and think critically about them. This exam takes 2.5 hours and the topics studied in preparation are ‘Hazardous Environments’ and ‘Disease Dilemmas.’ The concepts of inequality, mitigation, adaptation, sustainability, risk, resilience and threshold underpin this component. Questions on this paper range in marks from 3 to 33. Students also complete a Non-Examined Assessment of 3000-4000 words (worth 20% of the A-level). This is an independent project on a question of the student’s choice (linked to the specification). This component develops many skills in students: extended writing, innovation in presenting data, self directed study and research techniques. The department runs 5 days of fieldwork at A-level (1 day at Lulworth Cove and a 4-day residential stay in Devon).
About Education Provider
| Region | South East |
| Local Authority | Oxfordshire |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Boys |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | £48,075 |
| Sixth Form Fee | £48,075 |
| Address | Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 2HR |
Geography is a wide-ranging academic subject (spanning the arts and sciences) that opens up many options for future study. It is highly valued by universities as an A-level choice and geographers are sought after by employers. Geography teaches students to think holistically and equips them with the skills to analyse issues effectively. It is also contemporary; students are engaged with the social, environmental, political and economic issues that are playing out on news screens. Issues of climate change, geopolitics, migration and global disease are some of the pressing issues that are covered in detail, allowing students to understand and contribute to global debate. Geography’s relevance is easy to understand, and students are motivated by its wide-ranging appeal.
The course covers human and physical environments and the complex interaction of processes that shape our world. There are 3 examinations to take which span geography as a discipline. Firstly, Physical Systems, worth 22% of the A-level is examined through a 1.5 hour exam paper. Students answer questions on ‘Coastal Landscape Systems’ which involves an integrated study of the Earth surface processes, landforms and resultant landscapes within the conceptual framework of a systems approach. ‘Earth’s Life Support Systems’ examines the water and carbon cycles and investigates national and global management solutions. Students are tested on a variety of skills and the longest question is worth 16 marks. Secondly, Human Interactions, also worth 22% of the A-level is tested through a 1.5 hour exam. Students answer questions on ‘Changing Spaces, Making Places’ which investigates the spatial patterns of people in places. Students become more familiar with their own local area as well as those further afield. They also study ‘Migration,’ and ‘Power and Borders’ which allows them to explore the processes and flows that occur at a global level, and the ways in which these influence people, places and institutions. Like Paper 1, a variety of skills are tested, and the longest question is worth 16 marks. Thirdly, students sit a synoptic paper called Geographical Debates (worth 36% of the A-level). This paper exposes students to some of the most dynamic issues the planet faces and asks them to engage with, reflect on and think critically about them. This exam takes 2.5 hours and the topics studied in preparation are ‘Hazardous Environments’ and ‘Disease Dilemmas.’ The concepts of inequality, mitigation, adaptation, sustainability, risk, resilience and threshold underpin this component. Questions on this paper range in marks from 3 to 33. Students also complete a Non-Examined Assessment of 3000-4000 words (worth 20% of the A-level). This is an independent project on a question of the student’s choice (linked to the specification). This component develops many skills in students: extended writing, innovation in presenting data, self directed study and research techniques. The department runs 5 days of fieldwork at A-level (1 day at Lulworth Cove and a 4-day residential stay in Devon).