GCSE Geography Years 10 & 11
Specification
OCR Specification A - The specification and assessment structure can be found at the link: https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/geography-a-geographical-themes-j383-from-2016/
What will I study?
| Content Overview | Course Content | Assessment Overview |
|---|---|---|
|
Living in the UK Today A focus on UK human and physical Geography taught in Year 10. |
Landscapes of the UK People of the UK Environmental Threats to the UK |
A one hour paper worth 60 marks. This unit is worth 30% of the total GCSE. |
|
The World Around Us A focus on global physical and human geography taught in year 11. |
Ecosystems of the Planet People of the Planet Environmental Threats to the UK |
A one hour paper worth 60 marks. This is worth 30% of the total GCSE. |
|
Geographical Skills A focus on data handling skills and fieldwork taught throughout years 10 and 11. |
Geographical Skills Fieldwork |
A one and a half hour paper worth 90 marks. This is worth 40% of the total GCSE. |
Fieldwork
Fieldwork must be undertaken as part of the GCSE course on two occasions. This fieldwork will take place in two contrasting locations. In the spring term of Year 10 there is a fieldwork visit to the River Witham to investigate river processes and landscapes and in the Summer term a visit to Lincoln to investigate urban processes and their impacts. The assessment of fieldwork will take place within the Geographical Skills paper.
How will I learn?
You will learn through reading, writing, discussions, listening, analysing data, developing presentation skills using maps and diagrams, the use of applied programmes in ICT and the use of statistics as an analytical tool. Geography Information Systems using digital technology are now a requirement for all Geography courses.
What skills and qualities are required?
- Analytical Skills.
- Communications skills.
- Evaluation skills.
- Organisational skills.
- Initiative.
- Independent learning and research skills.
- Working with others.
- Self-motivation.
Where could it lead?
Geography is recognised for its academic ‘robustness’ and, most importantly, it also helps young people into the world of work. We know this is true because so many employers prize the knowledge and skills that studying geography can provide, be it knowing how the world works, planning research and report writing, working in a team, using new technologies and communication skills – and much more. You will find geographers working in a wide range of jobs, from the City to planning, working in the environment to travel and tourism, or in international charities or retail. Studying geography can help young people achieve careers that are professionally and financially rewarding and also enjoyable.
Year 10
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Landscapes of the UK |
Upland and lowland landscapes in the UK. Geomorphological processes such as weathering, erosion, mass movement, transport and deposition. River landscapes and Landforms Coastal Landscapes and landforms. A case study of a UK river and coastal landscapes. |
ICT Literacy Classification Visual imagery Summarising Information processing Map skills Numeracy Independent work Group work |
| 2 | The People of the UK |
The UK’s place in the world. The UK’s development gap. A case study of urban growth and decline in the UK. The UK’s changing population. Urban trends in the UK. A case study of a major city in the UK. |
As above |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 | Environmental challenges in the UK |
UK weather and extreme weather events. UK flooding case study. Resource demand and management in the UK. UK energy mix and energy futures. |
As above |
| 2 | Skills |
Selecting and constructing appropriate data presentation techniques. Effectively communicating and interpreting geographical information. Analysing and evaluating geographical information. Geographical fieldwork in two contrasting environments. |
As above |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Fieldwork projects |
|
As above |
| 2 | Skills |
Selecting and constructing appropriate data presentation techniques. Effectively communicating and interpreting geographical information. Analysing and evaluating geographical information. Geographical fieldwork in two contrasting environments. |
As above |
Year 11
| Topic | Further details about the topic | Skills | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | |||
| 1 | Ecosystems of the planet |
The nature and concept of ecosystems. The distribution of global biomes. The features of the major global biomes from the poles to tropical rainforests, deserts to deciduous forest and the major grasslands. A case study of human impact and management on a tropical rainforest. A case study of human impact and management on a major coral reef. |
As above |
| 2 | People of the planet |
Global Development. A case study of an Emerging Developing Nation. World Cities and Global Trade. Patterns and trends in global urbanisation. A case study of a major global city. |
As above |
| Spring Term | |||
| 1 & 2 |
Environmental challenges of the planet |
Historical climate change and the natural causes of this. Present day anthropogenic climate change and the effects of this. Global atmospheric circulation and extreme weather. Drought and the causes of drought. Hurricanes and tropical storms. |
As above |
| Summer Term | |||
| 1 | Revision |
|
|
Assessments
| Resources | Topic | Type of assessment |
|---|---|---|
| CAT 1 | Landscapes and People | Exam Style questions – one mark multiple choice to 12 mark extended writing |
| CAT 2 |
Landscapes of the UK People of the UK |
Exam Style questions – one mark multiple choice to 12 mark extended writing |
| CAT 3 |
Landscapes of the UK People of the UK Environmental Threats to the UK Geographical skills |
Exam Style questions – one mark multiple choice to 12 mark extended writing |
| CAT 4 |
Landscapes of the UK People of the UK Environmental Threats to the UK Geographical skills Ecosystems of the Planet |
Exam Style questions – one mark multiple choice to 12 mark extended writing |
| CAT 5 |
Landscapes of the UK People of the UK Environmental Threats to the UK Geographical skills Ecosystems of the Planet People of the Planet |
Exam Style questions – one mark multiple choice to 12 mark extended writing |
| CAT 6 |
Landscapes of the UK People of the UK Environmental Threats to the UK Geographical skills Ecosystems of the Planet People of the Planet Environmental Threats to the Planet |
Exam Style questions – one mark multiple choice to 12 mark extended writing |
Main Resources
| Resource | Details | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Text books | All pupils are issued with the OCR A textbook 'Geographical Themes' (published July 2016) | All |
|
Recommended websites |
Geography Department Frog Page |
All |
Enrichment opportunities
| Activity | Day and time or term |
|---|---|
| Revision Sessions | From January onwards on a Tuesday lunchtime |
| Wide World GCSE Magazine Subscription | Pupils to subscribe to these in September – 4 magazines (Sept, Oct, Feb and April) issued each year. |
| Year 10 Field Work |
River Witham - 17, 18 and 19 March Lincoln - 16, 17 and 18 June |
