Why Choose Geography? Are you interested in studying Geography further? You should be, because Geography tackles the big issues. The world in which we live is expected to witness great change over the next 50 years due to important geographically related issues, e.g. climate change, energy and water supply issues, changing global markets, rapid urbanisation, increasing pressure on vulnerable ecosystems, e.g. coral reefs. Studying geography will explain why these changes are taking place and it will help to prepare you for the changes that will affect your life. GCSE Geography has links with many subjects: Biology, Chemistry, History and Mathematics.
So what will studying Geography give you? Geography is not just about investigating the important questions, issues and problems facing the world today. Geography also offers you opportunities to develop a wide range of skills: spatial awareness – map skills, enquiry skills – asking questions and finding answers, data collection, presentation and analysis skills and also communication, ICT and report writing skills. Geography also encourages problem solving and decision-making. In a competitive world this broad range of skills is an asset.
How is the course structured? The course is forward thinking and addresses current issues; there is a focus on the environment and how societies around the world should be using the Earth’s resources and environments in a sustainable way. You will study up-to-date issues, which you can relate to, using examples covering a range of scales from local to global.
The two-year course is based on four themes:
Theme One: Rivers and Coasts Theme Two: Population and Settlement Theme Three: Natural Hazards Theme Four: Economic DevelopmentThe course gives you opportunities to:
Make sense of your physical and human surroundings. Acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of places and environments. Develop an awareness of the ways in which people and environments interact and the opportunities, challenges and constraints that face people around the world. Develop an understanding of global citizenship and the need for sustainable living. Appreciate that Geography is dynamic because places, features and issues are constantly changing. Acquire and apply skills and techniques to conduct geographical study and enquiry. These skills and techniques include those of map work, fieldwork, ICT and the ability to observe, analyse and communicate – all are important ‘life skills.’How is the course assessed?
| Examination | Duration | Weighting |
| Unit B561: Sustainable Decision Making | One hour exam | 25% |
| Unit B562: Geographical Enquiry | Controlled assessment | 25% |
| Unit B563: Key Geographical Themes | One hour and 30 minutes | 50% |
What is the Sustainable Decision Making Exercise (DME)? This is an exciting element of the course giving you the opportunity to develop decision-making skills. The global issue covered in this assessment is presented as a booklet of resources which pupils have to study for three weeks before the examination. You are also permitted to use the booklet during the examination. The DME examination is taken in the January of Year 11. This allows you to complete 50% of the GCSE assessment (DME and Geographical Enquiry) before Easter in Year 11; and the ability then to focus on the final examination in the Summer Term.
What does the Geographical Enquiry involve? This unit in assessed through two pieces of work and replaces coursework.
Part A - Fieldwork Focus – 1200 word report Pre-release fieldwork questions are set by the examination board. Pupils will be taken on a local fieldwork exercise and will have the opportunity to gather primary and secondary data. This data is then presented and analysed by pupils in follow-up classroom sessions, as a short report. It may be possible for pupils to conduct their own local fieldwork investigation linked to a pre-release question.
Part B - Issue Investigation – 800 word research report Pupils are able to research one of nine topical geographical areas: Disease; Trade; Ecosystems; Sport; Fashion; Energy; Fishing; Crime and Tourism. Pupils will need to select a research title and then produce a short report of 800 words. Research work can be conducted at home or in school using the library or Internet. The final report has to be completed during lesson time.
What Fieldwork opportunities are there? Fieldwork is a very important aspect of the course and pupils are offered a number of opportunities to explore interesting geographical issues up close.
Local fieldwork exploring urban issues is undertaken in Newport to support pupils with their Geographical Enquiry. Pupils also attend a residential field trip in September of Year 11, to the South Coast. Investigating coastal processes, landscapes and coastal protection from Lulworth Cove, Dorset to Christchurch Bay, Hampshire.
Year 11 have fun on the South Coast!