Y11 Geography

‘I just wish the world was twice as big and half of it was still unexplored’ – Sir David Attenborough.

If you want to better understand our world, a rewarding job that pays well and to help shape the future, then GCSE Geography is for you. Geography allows students to develop a knowledge of key global issues from climate change to migration to the UK economy. Skills are developed such as building an argument, decision making, data skills and real-world application.

At Key Stage 4 the students who continue with their studies in Geography will follow the AQA specification.

The course is assessed through 3 written exam papers:

Paper 1:Living with the physical environment (35%) – 1 hour 30 minutes
Paper 2:Challenges in the human environment (35 %) – 1 hour 30 minutes
Paper 3:Geographical applications (30%) – 1 hour 15 minutes

In preparation for paper 1 students will study Natural hazards, The Living World, Coastal and River Landscapes. For paper 2 students will study Urban environments and their challenges, Resource Management, with a focus on Energy, and Economic Development.

Paper 3 is a combination of issue evaluations and the examination of geographical skills and fieldwork. Fieldwork is therefore a compulsory element of the GCSE course as the data collected, techniques and methods used will be examined. Pre-release resources will be made available 12 weeks prior to the examination for the issue evaluation section.

For our physical fieldwork we will visit the Holderness Coast, exploring Flamborough Head before heading to Hornsea to measure the impact the groynes are having on erosion. Our urban study will be carried out at Garforth.

GCSE Geography, what can my child be doing at home?