Geography

Assessment

The course follows the AQA specification which comprises an exciting range of specialist Physical Geography and contemporary Human Geography topics. Component 1: Physical Geography (40% of overall A Level) Covers three topics: Coastal Landscapes and Processes, Water and Carbon Systems and Hazards (earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, tropical storms and forest fires). Assessment: 2hr 30m examination, consisting of short and extended written responses. Component 2: Human Geography (40% of overall A Level) Covers three topics: Contemporary Urban Environments, Changing Places (migration, regeneration and economic changes in two locales) and Global Systems and Governance. Assessment: 2hr 30m examination, consisting of short and extended written responses. Component 3: Geography Fieldwork Investigation (20% of overall A Level) Students complete an individual investigation which includes data collected in the field. The investigation is defined and developed by the students themselves relating to any part of the specification content. Assessment: 3000-4000 word report. To assist with this, we undertake a five-day residential course in North Wales. This is towards the end of Year 12 (the approximate cost is £400 per pupil after a contribution from the school). Here, students are introduced to a range of fieldwork techniques and topics that can then be developed. In addition to compulsory fieldwork visits, we also hope to offer a summer ‘inspire & awe’ trip to a suitably spectacular location (previous tours have been to Iceland, New York and the West Coast of the USA).