The Edexcel A level in Geography is unique in bridging the social sciences (human geography) with the natural sciences (physical geography). It actively engages students, challenges their views of the world and encourages them to explore key local and global issues.

It is an issues based qualification and it offers an enquiry based approach that encourages students to research and ask searching questions.

Year 12

During Year 12 students will be taught 4 hours of physical geography and 4 hours of human geography per fortnight. The topics studied are:

• Tectonic hazards
• Disaster management
• Climate change
• Coasts
• Globalisation
• Urban and rural regeneration.

Students will also complete their coursework during Year 12 following their residential fieldtrip.

Year 13

In Year 13 students will continue to further their knowledge and understanding of both human and physical geography by studying the following topics:

Physical geography: water resources, energy security and climate change.

Human geography: superpowers and international relations, the development gap.

They will also begin to prepare for paper 3: This is a synoptic paper and will test student’s ability to link geographical ideas and concepts.

Coursework

Students are required to produce one piece of coursework, which is worth 20% of their final grade. This coursework must be based on fieldwork and include evidence collected in the field. To help with this we will undertake a residential visit to a Field Studies Council Centre in South Wales. The visit will be a 4-day trip and will enable students to collect the data required for their coursework. Students will have freedom to choose an area of investigation that interests them.

Fieldwork

Students will undertake a residential fieldtrip to South Wales. This will enable them to collect the primary data required for the coursework component of the course (20% of A Level grade).

Extending Your Experience

Fieldwork plays a vital role in developing young geographers and there will be opportunities to learn vital skills and techniques on a variety of field trips in the local area and beyond. You will also be able to join H.E.A.T, the school’s campaigning and fundraising group that highlights sustainability and development issues at a variety of scales.

Entry Requirements:

It is expected that students will have achieved a 5 grade in Geography at GCSE level. However

in exceptional circumstances other grades may be considered.

Where will this Course take me?

If you have enjoyed your Geography A level, the next logical step is to consider taking a Geography related degree course at university; there are a wide range of such degrees available.

Beyond university the potential areas of employment are many and varied.  Here are just a few possibilities: diplomat, teacher, lawyer, town planner, market researcher, housing officer, estate agent,

GIS specialist, chartered surveyor, crime analyst, cartographer, transport manager, location analyst, retailer, regional development officer, travel agent, forest ranger, environmental consultant, weather presenter, flood protection officer, disaster manager, hydrologist, geologist, civil engineer, aid worker, accountant, marketing manager, social worker. Also Geography is an excellent second subject which compliments a huge range of other subject and career