KS5

In September 2008 students began studying the new A level Specification from Edexcel as detailed below.  Year 13 are completing the final year of AQA specification A.  There are currently 12 girls in year 12 and 6 girls in year 13 studying Geography for A level. 

Why study Geography for A level?
Geography focuses on PLACES and PEOPLE so is directly relevant to all students – including those who have not studied the subject at GCSE.

• You will learn about local and global issues and be aware of events around you
• You will understand the relationships between people and the environment, and appreciate that different people have different views
• You will have opportunities through fieldwork for first hand investigation of places, environments and human behaviour
• You will develop a range of life skills including ICT, problem-solving, team-working and communication skills

Career opportunities
Geographers are flexible thinkers with good analytical and problem-solving skills.  They are highly marketable and welcome in careers as diverse as urban and environmental planning, international development, journalism, finance, business and management, law, tourism and the leisure industry.
For study beyond A level, many universities offer excellent courses, most of which allow you to specialise in those parts of the subject of most interest to you.  There is also a wide choice of joint degrees available – combining geography with, for example, languages, environmental sciences, Sports Science or Business Studies.

What will I study?

At AS level you will study global themes including globalisation and climate change. You will discover how your own actions relate to the wider world in two units:

Unit 1: Global Challenges : You will study a range of topics such as Global Hazards, Climate Change and Future Global Challenges.

Unit 2: Geographical Investigations : This gives you an opportunity to undertake geographical research, including fieldwork. You will investigate two topics in depth, one of Extreme Weather or Crowded Coasts (physical geography), and one of Unequal Spaces or Rebranding Places (human geography).

At A2 you will learn how the world is contested and develop practical research skills in your chosen area in two further units:

Unit 3: Contested Planet : You will consider and discuss possible technological solutions to five key world issues:
-  Energy Security
-  Superpower Geographies
-  Water Conflicts
-  Bridging the Development Gap
-  Biodiversity under Threat

Unit 4: Geographical Research : This will allow you to develop further the investigative skills gained at AS level and prepare you for the demands of higher education or employment. You will choose one topic from:
-  Tectonic Activity and Hazards
-  Pollution and Human Health at Risk
-  Cold Environments
-  Consuming the Rural Landscape
-  ‘Life on the Margins’: the food supply problem
-  The World of Cultural Diversity

Style of Learning
You will take part in group discussions, make individual presentations and complete problem-solving and decision-making exercises.  You will develop independent research skills through fieldwork and by using geographical journals and the Internet.

How will I be assessed?
AS (Year 1) – two units:

A2 (Year 2) - two further units:

Fieldwork

There will be compulsory residential fieldtrip to support students Geographical Investigations Unit.  The venue this year is the North Norfolk Coast and the trip will take place from 16-20 March 2009.