Geography Year 10 Options
AQA GCSE Geography
Course Content - What will you be studying?
This exciting course is based on a balanced framework of physical and human geography. It allows students to investigate the link between the two themes and approach and examine the battles between the man-made and natural worlds.
Students who complete the course will have the skills and experience to progress onto A-level and beyond. Students will travel the world from their classroom, exploring case studies in the United Kingdom (UK), higher income countries (HICs), newly emerging economies (NEEs) and lower income countries (LICs).
Topics of study include Climate Change, Natural Hazards and Extreme Weather, Poverty, Deprivation, Coastal and River Processes, Global Shifts in Economic Power and the Challenge of Sustainable Resource use. Students are also encouraged to understand their role in society, by considering different viewpoints, values and attitudes.
Assessment weighting - Exams / Coursework
There are 3 written terminal exams:
- Paper 1 – Living with the Physical Environment 1hr 30mins (35% of final grade)
- Paper 2 – Challenges in the Human Environment 1hr 30mins (35% of final grade)
- Paper 3 – Geographical Applications (Fieldwork and Geographical Skills) (30% of final grade)
Who is this course aimed at?
This course is part of the EBacc pathway. Like History, literacy skills are paramount. Communication is key in Geography and there will be factual knowledge recall, with additional explanations and how human or physical aspects can influence outcomes.
We will also develop Cartographic Skills, relating to maps on varying scales. Graphical and numerical skills are also developed throughout the course using qualitative and quantitative data. We will formulate and argue a geographical enquiry and use statistics. All of these attributes will help Geography develop you as a student to understand the world around you.
It is a subject that without doubt, carves you into a well-rounded citizen for the 21st Century. The world is your Oyster! Explore it and learn how today’s world was shaped and understand the challenges we face in the future.
Head of Subject
Kimberley Underdown kunderdown@millbayacademy.org
Opportunities for extracurricular and enrichment activities include:
It is essential that in Geography we learn outside of the classroom. Not only will we keep you up to date with regular TV documentaries, magazines and books, but we will also guide you to the very best resources online to enrich your learning.
Fieldwork is an essential part of the course and brings an experience back to the classroom to further our learning and geographical enquiry skills.
There will also be a Geography club for those keen Geographers who want to learn more about the world around them and hopefully in the future, some optional Geography trips abroad.
Possible careers opportunities
Geographers are among the most employable university graduates. It is a valuable subject and reflects the student’s willingness to not only work hard, but also become a more rounded global citizen due to the understanding of some fragile issues. It will show that you have good skills in knowledge and understanding but also with empathy and critical thinking.
Careers for a Geographer include, Cartographer, Surveyor, Environmental consultant, GIS Officer, Development Surveyor, Teacher, Town Planner, Astronomer, Aid Worker, Architect, Logistics or Distribution Manager, Market Researcher, Conservation Officer, Risk Analysist, Sustainability Consultant, Tourism, Transport Planner to name a few! It’s even good enough for our future King William, who studied it at University.