Geography
GCSE Geography AQA
The Geography Department at Allerton Grange School is an exciting place to be and Geography is a popular GCSE. The team spirit, dedication and enthusiasm are apparent when meeting with the team. Katy Williams is the Geography curriculum leader and is supported by Stuart Blackburn, Tom Hanson and Richard Taylor.
Our Vision
The AGS Geography Department aims to provide a rich, relevant and stimulating curriculum which offers all students an informative and interactive discovery of Geography through providing differentiated resources and creative, yet challenging, learning experiences.
Geography colleagues support students by:
- Building on student’s own experiences to stimulate an interest and a sense of wonder of places in a caring, safe and inclusive learning environment.
- Encourage questioning and critical thinking about a range of issues, from a personal to a global scale, and which affect people now and in the future.
- Develop global citizens who recognise the responsibility they have to other people as well as to the sustainability of our planet.
Course overview
Autumn and Spring
- Introduced to the challenge of natural hazards and the living world.
- Understanding the theory of plate tectonics and the effects of earthquakes.
- Weather hazards, such as typhoons, are explained and students consider how the effects can be managed.
- Climate change is a natural hazard so students investigate strategies to reduce the effects.
- Understanding the theory of plate tectonics and the effects of earthquakes.
Through the study of two large biomes (tropical rainforests and tundra), students explain the challenges and opportunities these environments provide for people before discussing how these areas are managed.
Summer
- Urban challenge
Examinations
Assessments take place throughout the topic and at the end of each section to review knowledge and understanding. Mock examinations take place at the end at the end of Year 10 and twice in Year 11.
There are three examination papers.
Paper 1
Tests student’s physical geography knowledge and understanding. Topics include:
- The challenge of natural hazards,
- The living world
- Physical landscapes in the UK.
The examination is 1 hour and 30 minutes in length and is worth 35% of the overall GCSE.
Paper 2
Tests students’ knowledge and understanding of human geography. Topics include:
- Urban challenges
- The changing economic world
- The challenge of resource management.
This examination is also 1 hour and 30 minutes in length and is worth 35% of the overall GCSE.
Paper 3
To assess students understanding and application of geographical skills.
- Questions about the fieldwork experience students have undertaken
- Evaluate a geographical issue
The paper lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes. This examination is worth 30% of the overall GCSE.
Useful links
We use the AQA GCSE specification: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035
Revision guide: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Grade-GCSE-Geography-Revision-Guide/dp/1782946101/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_0?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DYMTZVX3J2QNGKDV9RHN
Trips and enrichment
Students are expected to do a geographical enquiry in different environments to satisfy the fieldwork element of this course. One must be based in a physical environment and the other in a human environment. The Geography department is planning the fieldwork to take place in April.
