Geography

Geography is a demanding but very rewarding GCSE. Students need to be  prepared to work hard and put three years’ worth of effort into the course. Geography is a solid academic subject, well respected by universities and
potential employers. It is one of the five subjects which form the English Baccalaureate qualification.

The Edexcel GCSE Geography course is a modern issues-based course that will help you understand how and why the world is constantly changing and the challenges that we all face for survival in the 21st century, such as climate change and sustainability.
Geography is fascinating because it is all around us: an unavoidable and ever changing part of every day life—and the daily life of everyone else in the world. It has something to offer everyone who has an interest in the workings of our planet and the people who live on it.

At GCSE there are 3 Key Geographical Themes.
These are:

• Global Geographical Issues (Hazardous Earth: Development dynamics; Challenges of an urbanising world)
• UK Geographical Issues (The UK’s evolving physical landscape – including sub-Coastal change River processes and pressures. The UK’s evolving human landscape – including a Case Study – Dynamic UK cities.  Geographical investigations – including one physical fieldwork investigation and one human fieldwork investigation)
• People and Environmental Issues (People and the Biosphere, Forests Under Threat, Consuming energy resources.

Geography is unique as it offers opportunities to conduct fieldwork investigations in and around the local area. This will develop skills in areas such as:

• Data Collection, presentation and analysis
• Research
• Statistical analysis
• Group work skills
• Evaluation
• Map reading.

In addition to this, the course will also develop the following skills:

• Thinking skills
• Extended writing
• Information Communication Technology
• Decision making
• Global perspectives.

At Key Stage 4 you will study a variety of different topic areas in depth. You will develop skills in research, debate and engaging with ideas and arguments critically. You will learn how to become an independent learner who can produce extended pieces of writing, and speak about a range of different topics, both accurately and confidently.

A level Geography is contemporary, issues based approach to the subject. It is rooted in learning about the real world and will challenge students to think deeply about it and the role we have as citizens in managing the challenges our global future will bring.
If you are interested in what is happening to the natural and human world around you and the complex relationship between the two then Geography is the subject for you!
You will need to be willing to take part in interesting discussions and consider
options formulating opinions based on evidence and geographical theory. You
will also have a chance to apply your learning in a fieldwork context during a
week-long residential trip to Pembrokeshire, West Wales. You will be expected to stay informed of current geographical issues through research, use of media and extensive reading and then apply your understanding through a variety of means including data analysis, spoken word, essay writing and project work. Geographers are well rounded students who need to develop a broad set of skills which makes the subject diverse and interesting for those who enjoy variety in their learning.

Skills Required

• Handling and interpreting qualitative and quantitative data.
• Use and understand a range of methodological approaches to primary and secondary fieldwork.
• Use and understand a range of statistical tests.
• Synthesise and evaluate contrasting arguments.
• Critical thinking and problem solving.
• Communication skills, literacy and oracy.
• ICT literacy.
• Numeracy skills and data handling.
• Cultural understanding and empathy

Entry Requirements

• GCSE English and Maths at Grade 5 or above.
• GCSE Geography at Grade 5 or above.
• Two other GCSE grades at 5 or above.

Geography offers opportunities for many career paths and as a “facilitating subject” as defined by the leading Russell Group of universities is well regarded by institutions of higher education and employers. Careers for geographers
split into the following broad groups:

• leisure & culture; travel; environment & sustainability; the business world;
  development & global issues; settlement & planning (e.g. housing manager, town planner); social occupations (e.g. teacher, HR, market research); physical systems (e.g. hydrologist) and occupations based on geographical techniques (e.g. cartography, developing GIS).