GCSE GEOGRAPHY (AQA) Course Aims We encourage students to ask questions about our planet. Students extend their knowledge of places, locations and environments at different scales and in wide ranging contexts. They gain an understanding of the interactions between people and the environment, supporting their development as a responsible citizen who can apply skills and understanding to real world contexts. Course Content GCSE Geography is a fascinating course which covers global issues such as climate change and the challenges associated with resource use, poverty and global shifts in economic power. Throughout the course pupils will develop essential geographical skills such as problem solving, decision making, synthesising ideas, identifying issues and communicating findings. This will be achieved through the undertaking of fieldwork investigations, in addition to varied activities within the classroom. Unit 1: Living with the Physical Environment Students develop their understanding of processes in a range of environments. We explore the need for management strategies governed by sustainability and examine the effects of human activity. We study these topic areas: ● The Challenge of Natural Hazards: Tectonic hazards, weather hazards and climate change ● The Living World – Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforests and Hot Deserts ● Physical Landscapes in the UK: Coastal and River landscapes Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment. This unit explores how humans interact with the planet, how this changes spatially and temporally and how it is impacted by factors such as poverty and globalisation. Students investigate the need for sustainable management and the future challenges that this presents for us and our planet. We study the following topics: ● Urban Issues and Challenges: Challenge and opportunities in cities ● The Changing Economic World: global inequalities, economic growth in low income countries, the economic landscape and future developments ● The Challenge of Resource Management: The fundamental importance of food, water and energy resources in the UK and managing the demand for resources globally Unit 3: Geographical Applications This unit draws together the knowledge, understanding and skills from unit 1 and 2 and consists of two parts: ● Issue evaluation: this is based on a pre-release resource provided by the exam board. Students will draw on their learning to analyse a geographical issue. They will consider possible solutions to the issue and make decisions with evidence based justifications. ● Fieldwork: Pupils will undertake two contrasting geographical enquiries, collected as part of a fieldwork exercise. Assessment Paper 1: Living with the physical environment: written examination - 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of GCSE Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment: written examination - 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of GCSE Paper 3: Geographical applications: written examination - 1 hour 30 minutes, 30% of GCSE Subject Pathways By studying GCSE Geography, pupils develop a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge to pursue a diverse range of careers including those in medicine, law, environmental, business, economic and political fields. The breadth of the AQA pathway also ensures a smooth transition to further study in both sciences and humanities at A level as well as fostering responsible and inquisitive global citizens.
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Walsall |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| Address | Upper Forster Street, Walsall, WS4 2AE |
GCSE GEOGRAPHY (AQA) Course Aims We encourage students to ask questions about our planet. Students extend their knowledge of places, locations and environments at different scales and in wide ranging contexts. They gain an understanding of the interactions between people and the environment, supporting their development as a responsible citizen who can apply skills and understanding to real world contexts. Course Content GCSE Geography is a fascinating course which covers global issues such as climate change and the challenges associated with resource use, poverty and global shifts in economic power. Throughout the course pupils will develop essential geographical skills such as problem solving, decision making, synthesising ideas, identifying issues and communicating findings. This will be achieved through the undertaking of fieldwork investigations, in addition to varied activities within the classroom. Unit 1: Living with the Physical Environment Students develop their understanding of processes in a range of environments. We explore the need for management strategies governed by sustainability and examine the effects of human activity. We study these topic areas: ● The Challenge of Natural Hazards: Tectonic hazards, weather hazards and climate change ● The Living World – Ecosystems: Tropical Rainforests and Hot Deserts ● Physical Landscapes in the UK: Coastal and River landscapes Unit 2: Challenges in the Human Environment. This unit explores how humans interact with the planet, how this changes spatially and temporally and how it is impacted by factors such as poverty and globalisation. Students investigate the need for sustainable management and the future challenges that this presents for us and our planet. We study the following topics: ● Urban Issues and Challenges: Challenge and opportunities in cities ● The Changing Economic World: global inequalities, economic growth in low income countries, the economic landscape and future developments ● The Challenge of Resource Management: The fundamental importance of food, water and energy resources in the UK and managing the demand for resources globally Unit 3: Geographical Applications This unit draws together the knowledge, understanding and skills from unit 1 and 2 and consists of two parts: ● Issue evaluation: this is based on a pre-release resource provided by the exam board. Students will draw on their learning to analyse a geographical issue. They will consider possible solutions to the issue and make decisions with evidence based justifications. ● Fieldwork: Pupils will undertake two contrasting geographical enquiries, collected as part of a fieldwork exercise. Assessment Paper 1: Living with the physical environment: written examination - 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of GCSE Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment: written examination - 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of GCSE Paper 3: Geographical applications: written examination - 1 hour 30 minutes, 30% of GCSE Subject Pathways By studying GCSE Geography, pupils develop a wealth of transferable skills and knowledge to pursue a diverse range of careers including those in medicine, law, environmental, business, economic and political fields. The breadth of the AQA pathway also ensures a smooth transition to further study in both sciences and humanities at A level as well as fostering responsible and inquisitive global citizens.