The GCSE Geography course is concerned with a variety of physical and human topics, ranging from environmental issues such as global warming and resource depletion, to patterns of migration and refugee movements. Pupils will investigate and discuss thought-provoking issues such as the impact of rapid population growth and uncontrolled urbanization, the growth of newly industrializing countries and the impact of natural hazards upon countries at different levels of development. Geography helps pupils to develop a number of different skills. As well as having to work independently, Geographers will have the opportunity to problem-solve in small groups and will learn how to interpret graphs, maps, satellite images and photos correctly. They will also undertake fieldwork exercises and use ICT to further their understanding of topics covered in class.
Pupils in A and O Block shall be studying the new Edexcel Specification B. This specification has four components and each component is worth 25% of the final GCSE grade.
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Unit 1: Dynamic Planet
Restless Earth
Climate and Change
Battle for the Biosphere
Water World
River Processes and Pressures
Extreme Climates
Assessed through a 1 hour exam with a mixture of short and long answer structured questions.
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Unit 2: People and the Planet
Population Dynamics
Consuming Resources
Living Spaces
Making a Living
Changing Cities
Development Dilemmas.
Assessed through a 1 hour exam with a mixture of short and long answer structured questions.
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Unit 3: Making Geographical Decisions
Assessed through a 1 hour exam with a mixture of short and long answer structured questions. A pack of resource material is pre-released prior to sitting the exam for students to study. The topic will change from year to year but will relate to global issues such as sustainability and environmental management.
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Unit 4: Researching Geography
Assessed through a piece of investigative fieldwork based on one of the topics chosen by Edexcel. Students write up their fieldwork report under controlled conditions.
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Case studies are a key aspect of GCSE Geography and can range in scale from the local (using South Derbyshire to illustrate changing population trends), to the global (looking at improving standards of living in less developed nations). Wherever possible, contemporary case study examples are used to demonstrate how the human and physical environments interact. Recently, for example, we have looked at the impact and management of recent natural disasters in order to bring the outside world into the confines of the classroom for example.
Pupils conduct one piece of local fieldwork in O Block in order to collect data for their Researching Geography study. GCSE pupils will also have the opportunity to join an overseas expedition in either A Block or O Block. This year’s trip will be a 5 day expedition to Iceland where pupils will have the chance to see glaciers, volcanoes, geysers, and hot springs.