Geography
STATEMENT OF INTENT FOR GEOGRAPHY
Geography students at Charters School will be motivated and well-rounded decision makers who show an appreciation of the interconnectedness of the diverse physical and human world. Students will explore contemporary issues at a local, national and global scale to gain an insight into alternative viewpoints that enables them to make informed judgements and evidenced conclusions. Through fieldwork, students will develop enquiring minds and gain geographical skills and help them understand their place in creating a sustainable future.
This means:
- Extending locational knowledge and deepening spatial awareness of the world’s regions to include the diverse continent of Africa, Antarctica, India, China and the UK.
- Understanding geographical similarities, differences and the interconnectedness between places through the study of human and physical geography.
- Developing empathetic skills by looking at a range of viewpoints at a variety of scales.
- Using key words confidently to ‘speak like a Geographer’, justifying opinions in extended writing.
- Using fieldwork, research and data handling skills to collect, analyse, draw conclusions and evaluations from geographical data using multiple sources.
- Through a range of decision-making exercises, students will consider the future challenges and possible sustainable approaches.
SUMMARY OF CURRICULUM
A Level Geography students follow the Edexcel specification. The Geography A Level covers a wide range of physical and human geographies, which results in students becoming well –rounded Geographers. Students are able to study relevant case studies, which link to current world events. They are examined on their knowledge in both aspects of the course (physical and human) as well as their ability to analyse data and figures and use the knowledge they have acquired to create synoptic links. Students will also have the opportunity to conduct a Geographical investigation, building enquiry questions and conducting fieldwork which will further develop skills in data analysis, drawing conclusions and being able to critically evaluate their work. A Level Geography is seen as a facilitating subject to universities because of the skills that students develop.
COURSE DETAILS
Paper 1 (Physical): Tectonic processes and hazards, Coastal Landscapes and Change, The Water Cycle and Water insecurity and The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security.
Paper 2 (Human): Globalisation, Regenerating Places, Superpowers and Migration, Identity and Sovereignty.
Paper 3 (Synoptic): This paper is a synoptic investigation which is based on a geographical issue within a pace-based context that links to the synoptic themes of players, attitudes and actions and futures and uncertainties rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas.
Non-Examined assessment: Students will create and undertake a Geographical enquiry which will involve the collection of fieldwork and the presentation, analysis and evaluation of results.
KEY STAGE 5 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
The minimum entry requirements for Charters Sixth Form can be viewed here
EXAM BOARD: PEARSON EDEXCEL
BE INSPIRED
Take a look around the links below to find our where this exciting subject could lead.
Complementary Subjects
Geography combines well with most subjects, both arts-based subjects like English and History and science-based subjects like Maths, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. You may already be thinking ahead to potential university and career choices, so it is worth bearing in mind that Geography is a broad-based subject that fits well for your future progression. Of course, many A Level students do not yet have a clear idea of what kind of career they might want to pursue so if this is the case, Geography is an A Level that gives you the chance to keep your options open as it covers both arts and science components.
Future Opportunities
Geography can lead to a variety of different university courses as well as careers. Due to the uniqueness of Geography as a subject it is considered a ‘science’ by universities as well as an 'arts' subject, which can lead to many different university degrees such as History, Law, Sport Science, Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Modern Foreign Languages, Politics and Economics. Studying Geography at A Level also allows students to develop skills which are useful to future careers. Careers for Geographers include, Sustainability, Energy Supply, Law, Hazard Planning and Prevention, Aid Work, Politics, Town Planning and many more.
Be Inspired by Exploring Further
BOOKS
Factfulness: Ten Reasons We're Wrong About The World - And Why Things Are Better Than You Think by Hans Rosling;Ola Rosling;Anna Rosling Rönnlund
In Factfulness, Professor of International Health and global TED phenomenon Hans Rosling, together with his two long-time collaborators reveal the ten instincts that distort our perspective - from our tendency to divide the world into two camps (usually some version of us and them) to the way we consume media (where fear rules) to how we perceive progress (believing that most things are getting worse).
Disaster by Choice: How our actions turn natural hazards into catastrophes by Ilan Kelman
An earthquake shatters Haiti and a hurricane slices through Texas. We hear that nature runs rampant, seeking to destroy us through these 'natural disasters'. Science recounts a different story, however: disasters are not the consequence of natural causes; they are the consequence of human choices and decisions.
Prisoners of Geography by Tim Marshall
All leaders are constrained by geography. Their choices are limited by mountains, rivers, seas and concrete. Yet to follow world events you need to understand people, ideas and movements - but if you don't know geography, you'll never have the full picture.
The Power of Geography by Tim Marshall
In this revelatory new book, Marshall explores ten regions that are set to shape global politics in a new age of great-power rivalry: Australia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UK, Greece, Turkey, the Sahel, Ethiopia, Spain and Space. Find out why Europe’s next refugee crisis is closer than it thinks as trouble brews in the Sahel; why the Middle East must look beyond oil and sand to secure its future; why the eastern Mediterranean is one of the most volatile flashpoints of the twenty-first century; and why the Earth’s atmosphere is set to become the world’s next battleground.
MAGAZINES
Geographical Review (available in-dept for an annual subscription)
PODCAST
Ask the Geographer - Royal Geographical Society
Keep your A Level case studies up to date with the latest geographical research.
WEBSITE
Time for Geography is an educational outreach project, making inspiring, educational Geography videos in collaboration with leading UK universities and with the support of organisations from across the geographical community.
