A level

Exam board: Edexcel

Post 16 geography at JKHS is delivered by all three members of the department (Mr Calderbank, Mr Wallace and Miss Jones), who focus on areas of particular interest and expertise. Students study the Edexcel geography specification which is a balance of both human & physical geography. Whilst the topics studied at A level are selected to link closely with what students have studied previously at GCSE, it is not a requirement for students to have taken GCSE geography prior to studying A level; indeed some of our most successful students in the past have joined us without a GCSE in geography!

The highlight of post 16 geography at JKHS is the Year 12 residential field-trip to the FSC centre at Nettlecombe Court in Somerset. Students spend a week in the field working in small groups and individually collecting data from a variety of locations, including the River Holford and at Porlock Bay. The students will then work on analysing and presenting their data to draw conclusions. This fieldwork is undertaken in order that the students can produce their own individual investigation that contributes 20% of their overall A-level grade.

What topics are covered?

Students will study a total of eight topics: four in Year 12 and four in Year 13. All eight topics will be examined at the end of Year 13 in three papers of varying length and weighting. The final element of assessment will require all students to produce an individual investigation of their choice and design which will be internally marked and externally moderated. In each area of study candidates will consider the values and attitudes of decision makers, consider their own values and attitudes to the issues being studied and support their learning of ideas through the study of specific case studies. Candidates will also develop a variety of geographical skills, which will broaden and deepen existing knowledge and be employed with a greater degree of independence.

Paper 1 (30%) will cover the following topics:

• Tectonic hazards
• The water cycle & water insecurity
• The carbon cycle & energy security
• Coasts – landscapes & management

Paper 2 (30%) will cover the following topics:

• Globalisation
• Superpowers
• Regenerating places
• Migration, identity & sovereignty

Paper 3 (20%) will be based on a resource booklet and will test students synoptic understanding of all aspects of the course through the use of contemporary material and examples.

Paper 4 (20%) an Individual investigation of between 3000 – 4000 words based on the students own data collection undertaken during the residential field trip (cost approx. £450). Assistance is available to help with the cost of fieldwork through the sixth form bursary and access fund.

Specification: Edexcel A level Geography (2016) | Pearson qualifications