GCSE

Geography at GCSE Level

Geography is an optional subject from Year 10 upwards, yet there are many good reasons for taking the subject further - at least to GCSE level.

Geography is an exciting and dynamic subject; it is all around us and therefore its relevance is all too obvious. Geography also provides a very important link between the Humanities and the Sciences. It helps to provide an understanding of current global issues. In the specification students follow at GCSE level, we examine the issues of: Sustainability, Rainforest Destruction, Coastal and River Management, The Growth and Impact of Tourism, World Population Growth, Pollution, Climate Change and Conservation of the Environment.

Geography is also a valuable contributor to a broad and balanced curriculum and it is highly respected as a subject amongst employers, being particularly valued in careers such as: Journalism and Media, Engineering, Teaching, Leisure and Recreation, Law, Business Management, Economic Planning, Tourism and many others!

In Years 10 and 11, the Geography syllabus provides an approach to the subject which emphasises the relationships between people and their environments, both natural and man-made. Throughout the course, examples for study are taken from both the developed and developing world, as well as from a variety of scales ranging from local to global. This approach emphasises the ways in which man and his environment co-exist and helps students to develop an awareness and an understanding of the differences which exist in the world.

Exams - Exam Board: OCR (9-1) Geography B Geography for Enquiring Minds

Geography GCSE OCR

The Geography syllabus provides an approach to the subject that emphasises the relationships between people and their environments, both natural and man-made. The specification that we have chosen to study is OCR B – Geography for Enquiring Minds. There are three units; one exam paper each on physical (Our Natural World) and human geography (People and Society), and a geographical skills (Geographical Exploration) paper.  The human and physical geography papers account for 35% each of the total marks.  The geographical exploration examination accounts for 30% of the marks. The following information outlines the content of the course:

Paper 1: Our Natural World (1 hour 15 minutes / 35%)

  • Global Hazards
  • Changing Climate
  • Distinctive Landscapes
  • Sustaining Ecosystems
  • Fieldwork
  • Geographical Skill

Paper 2: People and Society (1 hour 15 minutes / 35%)

  • Urban Futures
  • Dynamic Development
  • UK in the 21st Century
  • Resource Resilience
  • Fieldwork
  • Geographical Skills

Geographical Exploration (1 hour 30 minutes / 30%)

  • Geographical Skills
  • Decision Making Exercise

Geography provides an important link between the Humanities and the Sciences. It also helps to provide an understanding of current global issues such as sustainability, rainforest destruction, coastal and river management, the growth and impact of tourism, world population growth, resource management, pollution and conservation of the environment.  Geography is also a valuable contributor to a broad and balanced curriculum.  Employment opportunities where your geographical skills will be particularly valued include journalism and media, the law, engineering, business management, teaching, economic planning, marketing, the civil service, leisure, recreation, tourism and many more.