Introduction to Geography

“Geography is, in the broadest sense, an education for life and for living. Learning through geography helps us all to be more socially and environmentally sensitive, informed and responsible citizens and employees.”

Geography is a popular option choice at GCSE and is highly valued by sixth form colleges and universities. Studies into career entry after degree level regularly cite Geography as one of the top 3 most employable degree subjects.

The Geography curriculum incorporates both human and physical geography, combined with a focus on graphical, statistical and cartographical skills. This means that Geography is the perfect bridge between Science and Maths based subjects and Humanities based subjects such as History and Sociology. Geography students also complete a piece of fieldwork every year including coastal, river and urban visits. This gives students the opportunity to apply their learning from the classroom and complete their own geographical enquiries.

KS3

Our Key Stage 3 curriculum aims to give students a strong base with which to continually develop their practice of key skills and deepening of subject knowledge and understanding. These are continually practiced and assessed through learning in Key Stage 3.

Exam Board and Syllabus – AQA Geography (9030)

The GCSE qualification consists of 3 exams:

Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment – Exam: 1 hr 30 mins = 35% of final grade

  • Section A: The Challenge of Natural Hazards
  • Section B: The Living World
  • Section C: UK Physical landscapes, Coastal landscapes (Q3), River landscapes (Q4)

Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment – Exam: 1 hr 30 mins = 35% of final grade

  • Section A: Urban Issues and Challenges
  • Section B: The Changing Economic World
  • Section C: Resources Management, Food (Q4), Energy (Q6)

Paper 3: Geographical Applications – Exam: 1 hr 15 mins = 30% of final grade

  • Section A: Issue Evaluation
  • Section B: Fieldwork

Useful Links

For More Information on the GCSE specification & for examples of GCSE Past Papers, use these links:

http://filestore.aqa.org.uk/subjects/AQA-9030-W-SP-14.PDF http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-a-9030/past-papers-and-mark-schemes

Useful revision websites include:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/geography/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zkw76sg

http://www.coolgeography.co.uk/GCSE/AQA%20GCSE.htm

Contact Information

Please contact us on info@plashet.newham.sch.uk.