Curriculum overview for GCSE Geography

Curriculum intent – the knowledge, understanding and skills that students will learn
Geography is a well-regarded facilitating subject by both employers and universities due to the range of skills developed during the course, such as inquiry and analytical skills. It is one of the few subjects that cover all six key skills:  application of number, communication in the English language, information technology, improving own learning and performance, working with others, and problem solving. The GCSE Geography course enables students to study both Human and Physical landscapes with a focus on the processes that are reshaping our world such as Development and Changing Climate. There is a real need for students to develop synoptic skills whereby they can apply their knowledge of one topic to understand other topics. This is particularly pertinent in understanding the concept of development and how countries of differing levels of development have differing strategies to their management of resources.

During the GCSE Geography course, students will develop and extend their knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes, and of different scales including global; and of social, political and cultural contexts (knowing geographical material). They will gain understanding of the interactions between people and environments, change in places and processes over space and time, and the inter-relationship between geographical phenomena at different scales and in different contexts (thinking like a geographer). Students will develop and extend their competence in a range of skills including those used in fieldwork, in using maps and GIS and in researching secondary evidence, including digital sources; and develop their competence in applying sound enquiry and investigative approaches to questions and hypotheses (studying like a geographer). They will be able to apply geographical knowledge, understanding, skills and approaches appropriately and creatively to real world contexts, including fieldwork, and to contemporary situations and issues; and develop well-evidenced arguments drawing on their geographical knowledge and understanding (applying geography).

Curriculum implementation – teaching, learning and assessment strategies
The course is broadly divided into 2 units: Physical and Human Geography. These units are interleaved to promote the synoptic understanding. Within Unit 1, the key topics are UK Landscapes, Living World and Hazards; while in Unit 2, the key topics are Urban Environments, Economic and Resource Management with a focus  on Water. Each unit is broken down into logical chunks that replicate the information on the exam board specification. In lessons, students are taught, have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and are assessed. Students develop a good understanding of how the exam is marked and what the examiners are looking for. Each unit is worth 37.5% of the GCSE qualification and, given that there are no tiers of entry, the paper has a range of 1 – 9 mark questions to ensure that it is accessible to all learners. The final paper is Paper 3. Students receive a pre-release topic which is based on some area of knowledge in unit 1 and 2. Students also receive general fieldwork questions and questions specific to their fieldwork. In preparation for this fieldwork is the trip to Hastings where students plan, collect data present, analyse and evaluate the impact of the Breakwater Groyne on the size of Hastings Beach and the impact of the Old Town regeneration project.

Curriculum impact – intended outcomes for students 
At Blackfen School,  we want to create Geographers, not just students who study Geography. It is our intent to ensure that students have the literacy skills to confidently write about the subject in a structured manner, and the numeracy skills to analyse and dissect data. By the end of the course our students should have a wide and deep understanding of the world that they are entering and are able to connect to that world. Students should be able to conduct an inquiry; identifying an issue, asking questioning about that issue, effectively collecting data, presenting data, analysing and issue and drawing conclusions and evaluations. These skills prepare students for further learning, or entry into the workforce.

Course overview for GCSE Geography
Exam board: AQA – https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035
Coursework: Yes – and assessed in the Paper 3 examination

Paper 1: Living with the Physical Environment                
Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
Section B: The living world
Section C: UK physical landscapes

Paper 2: Challenges in the Human Environment                
Section A: Urban issues and challenges
Section B: Living with the Economic world
Section C: The challenge of resource management

Paper 3: Geographical Applications                
Section A: Issue evaluation
Section B: Fieldwork