Course information
Geography
Wellington College - Bracknell Forest
01344444000
Duke's Ride, Crowthorne, RG45 7PU
Course summary

IB Geography is designed to provide pupils with a broad and comprehensive understanding of the interactions between individuals, societies and the physical environment. The course adopts a conceptual approach with an emphasis on physical processes, places, stakeholder powers and future possibilities. Pupils will investigate these interactions at a variety of temporal and spatial scales, as well as develop an appreciation for the diversity of perspectives, attitudes and beliefs that govern human behaviour. The course covers an exciting range of key contemporary geographical issues and challenges to equip candidates with a knowledgeable and balanced international outlook. Underlying themes include the ‘circular economy’, ‘disruptive technologies’ and ‘nexus thinking’ and these are incorporated into key contemporary geographical issues such as inequality, sustainability, climate change and – particularly at HL – globalisation. The syllabus is of an inherently topical nature which provides a challenging and varied course at both Higher and Standard level. The Higher Level course is distinguished from the Standard Level course primarily by the addition of the “Global Perspectives – Global Interactions” paper which involves an in-depth study of globalisation and its variety of economic, social, environmental and political manifestations; as well as a third option choice in Paper 1 (see below). Geography challenges opinions, broadens the mind and sharpens key skills. Few subjects can boast the same breadth and contemporary relevance. IB Geography is thus another step in the exciting journey to becoming an engaged global citizen. All students enjoy a three day fieldwork residential field trip designed to develop their practical and enquiry skills through fieldwork. The aim is to prepare and collect data for the Internal Assessment (IA) but the students are also deepen their understanding of concepts they have studied by observing and experiencing them in reality. In 2020 the trip ran to Barcelona.

Entry requirements

A genuine interest in the subject matter – i.e. a keenness to read widely, be aware of contemporary, topical issues in the news and to pursue areas of interest in a bit more depth – is a characteristic of the most successful Geographers. We would expect most students taking Geography in the Sixth Form to have achieved at least a 7 in their GCSE to enable them to access the demands of the course, although this is not a prerequisite. On the very odd occasion we might consider taking a student who has not studied Geography in the 4th and 5th form, providing they can demonstrate the correct motivation and have a track record of academic success. Geographers typically study a wide variety of other subjects so it is well-suited to the IB, equally at home in a science-focussed combination for a prospective Medic or scientist as well as in combination with other humanities such as Economics, Politics and History. The unique feature of Geography is the breadth of skills it develops, and hence it can complement a wide range of subjects,

How you'll be assessed

Paper 1: Geographical Themes (a choice of two options at SL and three options at HL including Freshwater, Oceans and Coastal Margins, Extreme Environments, Geophysical Hazards, Food & Health, Urban Environments) (SL: 1 hour 30 minutes exam, 35% weighting; HL: 2 hours 15 minutes exam, 35% weighting). Paper 2: Geographical Perspectives – Global Change (SL: 1 hour 15 minutes exam, 40% weighting; HL: 1 hours 15 minutes exam, 25% weighting). Paper 3: Global Perspectives – Global Interactions (HL only:

School Info

About Education Provider

RegionSouth East
Local AuthorityBracknell Forest
Ofsted Rating
Gender TypeCo-Educational
ISI ReportView Report
Boarding Fee£48,930
Sixth Form Fee£35,760
AddressDuke's Ride, Crowthorne, RG45 7PU