Geography


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What will GCSE Geography be like?

The Geography Department follows requirements from the OCR Examining board (Specification B - Avery Hill). We are very exited about our Geography syllabus and feel sure you will enjoy following this interesting and varied course. The syllabus adopts an issue-based, investigative approach to the study of a wide range of geographical topics on global, international, national and local scales. As well as developing your geographical knowledge you will develop literacy, numeracy, ICT, citizenship and decision-making skills. All of these are vital to surviving life in the 21st century.

Units studied in GCSE Geography.

Unit 1:
Climate, the Environment and People
In this unit you will look at.
 
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    		•  The way weather works and why we get certain weather conditions as well as the ways in which weather and climate affect human activities.
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    		•  You will also examine how ecosystems like the rainforests work and how people use and abuse them.
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    		•  You will also investigate issues such as the Greenhouse effect and acid rain.
     
    Unit 2:
    Water Landforms and People
    The main topics in this unit are:
     
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    		•  The supply and demand of water in more and less developed countries.
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    		•  An examination of the way that rivers work, how landforms such as waterfalls are created and how rivers can be managed.
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    		•  An investigation into costal process and landforms and their management.
     
    Unit 3:
    People and Place
    In this unit you will study:
     
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    		•  The idea of quality of life and how it differs for different people in different places, as well as the effect that this has on inequality.
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    		•  The idea that urban areas are changing and the reasons behind these changes.
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    		•  The movement of people between the towns (urban) and the countryside (rural) and vice-versa and the problems and benefits that this can bring.
     
    Unit 4:
    People, work and development
    The main topics in this unit are:
     
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    		•  Employment structures and unemployment and how these change over space and time.
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    		•  International trade and development issues.
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    		•  The role of large multinational companies.
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    		•  The effect of economic activity on the environment.
     

    Assessment

    Written Papers.

  • Paper 1 (Foundation) - Paper 2 (Higher)

    Based on three of the units. This paper is worth 45% and lasts 1.5 hours. The questions test your knowledge of Geographical issues studied throughout the course and your knowledge of Case Studies.

  • Paper 3 (Foundation) - Paper 4 (Higher)

    Based on one of the units. This paper is worth 30% and lasts 1.5 hours. This is a decision making paper and tests your skills as well as your knowledge about the unit.


    Coursework.

    You will complete two pieces of coursework in total worth 25%.

  • Year 10: A cross unit study which will take the form of an written report and is worth 10%.

  • Year 11: A more detailed fieldwork investigation which is worth 15% (topic to be decided).


    We also run the Entry Level qualification for specific students who would benefit from doing Geography but are unsure about their chance of success at GCSE level. Any student who would like more information should see their teacher.
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