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 creative, yet challenging, learning experiences.
Geography colleagues aim to 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
• Urban growth creates both opportunities and challenges for cities in Newly Emerging Economies and Higher Income Countries
• Urban change in cities in the UK leads to a variety of social, economic and environmental opportunities and challenges
• Urban sustainability requires management of resources and transport
Spring
• Introduce the changing economic world
• There are global variations in economic development and quality of life
• Various strategies exist for reducing the development gap
• Some Lower Income Countries and Newly Emerging Economies are experiencing rapid economic development which leads to significant social, environmental and cultural change
• Major changes in the economy of the UK have affected, and will continue to affect, employment patterns and regional growth
Summer
• The challenge of resource management
• Food, water and energy are fundamental to human development.
• The changing demand and provision of resources in the UK create opportunities and challenges.
• Demand for energy resources is rising globally but supply can be insecure, which may lead to conflict.
• Different strategies can be used to increase energy supply.
Examinations
Assessments take place throughout the topic and at the end of each section to review knowledge and understanding. Pre-public 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
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 March.
