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In Years 11 and 12 Geography can be chosen as a GCSE option.

The Exam Board we use for GCSE Geography is CCEA. Click here to go to the CCEA Geography site. Click here for the GCSE Geography Specification.

Turn on your TV almost any day and you will see coverage of events such as flooding, storms or earthquakes and hear about issues such as sustainability and global warming. These events and issues are at the very heart of Geography. By studying Geography pupils will gain an awareness of their own responsibilities and how they can contribute to a future that is sustainable and inclusive.

In studying this course pupils will:

• Take part in fieldwork collecting data at first hand;
• Explore the interrelationships between people and their environments;
• Investigate how physical and human resources are managed;
• Consider interdependence between countries and the need for cooperation to tackle global issues; and
• Have opportunities to use geographical skills including appropriate technologies such as GIS.

What Will Pupils Study?

Unit 1: Understanding Our Natural World

Pupils will study three themes:

• Dynamic Landscape (rivers and coasts);
• Our Changing Weather and Climate (weather systems affecting us and the causes and effects of climate change); and
• The Restless Earth (earthquakes).

Unit 2: Living in Our World

Pupils will study three themes:

• People and Where They Live (population and settlement);
• Contrasts in World Development (the differences between LEDCs and MEDCs); and
• Managing our Resources (sustainable solutions).

Unit 3: Fieldwork Report

This unit will be a controlled assessment task. Pupils will collect primary data and write up a report.

How Will Pupils Be Assessed?

Type of Assessment

Geography theory Unit 1: Understanding Our Natural World Written Paper

Unit 1 is a written exam and will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long. The questions will have resource material and some parts will require extended writing. This examination is 37.5% of the overall GCSE qualification.

Geography theory Unit 2: Living in Our World Written Paper

The written exam for Unit 2 will be 1 hour and 30 minutes long. The questions will have resource material and some parts will require extended writing. This examination paper is worth 37.5% of the overall GCSE qualification.

Controlled Assessment Unit 3: Fieldwork Report

This is the controlled assessment task and pupils will be required to complete a report of no more than 2000 words based on fieldwork. This task will be worth 25% of the overall GCSE qualification.
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