Geography
We follow the OCR Geography Syllabus A. The AS and A2 specifications each have three units.
The AS Units
- The Physical Environment
This encompasses four compulsory sections: hydrological systems, ecosystems, atmospheric systems and the lithosphere. Pupils will learn about the physical environment of the earth and how it influences peoples lives. Assessment is by a 90-minute examination comprising four compulsory structured questions
- The Human Environment
Pupils will study population and settlement and the issues which arise from the management of the interaction between people and the built, and physical, environment. Rural and urban settlement is studied at a variety of scales and assessment is by 75-minute examination, again with compulsory structured questions
- Geographical Investigation
This requires pupils to undertake fieldwork and produce a 1000 word report. The fieldwork is currently undertaken as a six-day residential field course at Blencathra in the Lake District, during which the report is finalised. In addition, pupils will learn a variety of skills and techniques and will be examined on their ability to conduct an investigation and deal with data
Find out more about the field trip to Blencathra
The A2 Units
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Options in Physical and Human Geography
This allows pupils to study one physical and one human option in depth. They learn about glacial and periglacial environments, agriculture and food. The examination (90 minutes) requires them to write an essay on each
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The Synoptic Geography Paper
This is again an essay paper. Pupils will study two options: managing urban environments and managing hazardous environments. However, essays will demonstrate understanding, knowledge and skills derived from work in the other units studied throughout the two years
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A Personal Investigative Study
This gives pupils the opportunity to carry out fieldwork and produce a 2500 word report on a topic of their own choice
Geography encourages the development of a wide range of graphic, numeric and written skills and as such offers many opportunities to develop and collect evidence for each of the Key Skills. The investigation units and fieldwork in particular will give ample opportunity to collect evidence for a portfolio.
Geography allows pupils to follow almost any career and gives them access to the widest possible higher education opportunities. For pupils to follow the course successfully, we would expect at least a B in GCSE Geography and good grades in Maths, English and Science subjects.