Geography A Level
DEPARTMENT STAFF
Subject Leader: Mr. Sikuade
KS5 Subject Teachers: Mrs J. Done
DEPARTMENT STAFF
Subject Leader: Mr. Sikuade
KS5 Subject Teachers:
Mrs. J. Done
The course intends to develop skills from the study of the local environment as well as the wider physical and human environment. There is a greater focus on developing independent research and investigation skills with opportunities for field work. The Geography Department strives to ensure that pupils studying Geography will develop the following aspects to their learning:
- To recognise the value of the subject within the work place.
- To find geography a challenging and relevant subject that they may wish to continue its study at higher education.
- To appreciate and develop empathy with other cultures and people with differing values.
- To help develop skills for the 21st Century workplace.
As stated by the Royal Geographical Society, Geography is a broad based academic subject which will open up options for you in your future. Employers and universities see geography as a robust academic subject, rich in skills, knowledge and understanding. As a subject linking the arts and the sciences it is highly flexible in terms of what you can combine it with, both at GCSE and A Level. If you choose to take geography on to university, there are literally hundreds of courses to choose from and the range of career areas accessed by graduates of geography will probably surprise you.
Geography helps you to make sense of the world around you. It is hands on, it is relevant and it is engaging. Current A Level courses are a good mix of topics such as tectonic hazards, globalisation, diversity coastal environments and superpowers – to name but a few. The course will give you the chance to get to grips with some of the big questions which affect our world, and understand the social, economic and natural forces which shape and change our world.
There are so many ways of learning in geography. It is very practical, with opportunities to develop skills such interpreting photographs, range of data, fieldwork skills, presenting, role play and debating techniques. You will improve your literacy through your report writing and written work and make practical use of your numeracy skills when you interpret data and graphs. Fieldwork, or working outside the classroom, is a really important part of geography. We aim to offer localised field visits to enhance your understanding of the subject and opportunity to experience some of the things you have learnt about in class.
Consider these following questions about yourself:
- You are inquisitive? Always asking questions?
- You take an interest and develop an awareness of your surrounding environment?
- You have an awareness and interest in issues beyond you own local area?
- You take an interest in the news and current affairs?
- You are interested in people and other cultures?
If you answer yes to all these questions, then geography may well be a subject for you to consider
This is a two year course AS and A2 that follows the Edexcel specification.
| Unit | UNIT Name | Course weighting | Year of study |
| 1 | Global Challenge | 30% | 12 |
| 2 | Geographical Investigations | 20% | 12 |
| 3 | Contested Planet | 30% | 13 |
| 4 | Geographical Research | 20% | 13 |
Possible Careers: Statistics show that Geography graduates are among the most employable. This is because it provides a broad range employable skills. Career opportunities could include journalism, energy, environmental work, travel and tourism, government work, architecture and building design, urban planning, diplomatic service, charity work, education and many more.
Listening
- Costing the Earth – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006r4wn/episodes/player There are some great podcasts here to pick from on a wide variety of geographical issues including climate change, carbon, urban greening, deforestation, alternative power, plastics etc.
- Royal Geographical Society – “Ask the Geographer podcasts” https://www.rgs.org/schools/teaching-resources/ask-the-expert-podcasts/ A fantastic set of podcasts to keep A Level studies up-to-date with the latest geographical research – pick out some that interest you and give them a go!
- The Documentary podcast – https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02nq0lx/episodes/downloads From the BBC, these podcasts investigate global development issues and affairs.
Reading
- BBC NEWS https://www.bbc.co.uk/news An excellent source of Up to date articles – explore the key headings such as Science, Business, as well as the UK, World and other stories.
- THE GUARDIAN https://www.theguardian.com/uk Again, many useful articles and logically ordered – keep an eye on the Environment, Science, Society, Global Development stories in particular.
- Factfulness: Ten reasons we’re wrong about the world – and why things are better than you think (Hans Rosling). Hans Rosling has written what is a must-read book from a geography perspective – this takes a more realistic view of the world, presenting issues in fact-based context. It is a rational look at actually how far the world has measurably improved and what is left to be done.
- Brick Lane (Monica Ali). A fictional novel, which explores the rich cultural heritage of East London’s Brick Lane. A less academic approach to key urban issues and cultural tensions in inner-city London
Trips & Extra Curricular Club/Activities:
- Field visit to coast to look at coastal processes operating on the Kent coastline.
- Localised field visits within the London region.