Geography

Assessment

Component One: Physical Systems (22% of A-level) Through the study of physical systems, boys will develop an understanding and appreciation of landscape systems, contextualised through either coastal landscapes, dryland landscapes or glaciated landscapes, and Earth’s life support systems, which encompasses the water and carbon cycles vital to our planet. Component Two: Human Interactions (22% of A-level ) Boys will explore human interactions through the study of Global Connections, with a choice between focusing on the systems of trade or migration and the governance of human rights or sovereignty on a global scale, and Changing Spaces; Making Places, which gives learners an insight into the nature of places and the fluidity of their meanings and representations. Within the question papers for Physical Systems (One) and Human Interactions (Two) there will be a combination of short-answer questions that carry a low tariff, medium-length questions of six to ten marks and higher tariff extended-response questions of 16 marks. Component Three: Geographical Debates (36% of A-level) Geographical Debates allow boys to explore in depth two from a choice of five of the most challenging, dynamic and fascinating issues of the 21st century. With choices between such wide-ranging topic areas as climate change, disease, food security, oceans and tectonic hazards, there are debates to appeal to all, with the implications on people and the environment being at the heart of this component. Within the question paper for Geographical Debates (Three), there will be a combination of short-answer questions of three marks, medium-length questions of six marks, synoptic questions of 12 marks and extended-response questions of 33 marks. Component Four: Investigative Geography (20% of A-level) The Investigative Geography component gives boys the freedom to undertake an independent investigation linked to any aspect of the specification. This component is designed to encourage boys to deepen their knowledge and understanding of their chosen topic while developing several geographical and study skills relevant to higher education or the world of work.