Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School

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Geography

Geography at Cardinal Vaughan strives to foster in pupils a sense of awe in the physical and human world and the interconnections between them.

We believe that by encouraging and equipping all pupils to explore and make sense of an ever more complex and dynamic world, they then have the power to choose their own place within it and, in their own unique way, to change it for the better.

Pupils broaden their awareness of geographical locations, the natural and human formation of places and landscapes, the interactions between society and environment, and how communities, economies and environments are inextricably woven. This is achieved through considering the local and global dimensions of a variety of issues.

Unique in its ability to fuse science and the humanities, geography provides pupils with the technical understanding as well as the more socio-economic awareness of the causes and effects of pressing global issues. Geographical enquiry is central to this and encourages a scientific approach to questioning, investigation and analysis.

Fieldwork and the use of ICT is an intrinsic part of geography at the Cardinal Vaughan. Fieldwork opportunities at KS3-KS5 enable pupils to apply the skills they are taught in thinking spatially and in using maps, images and new technologies, including geographical information systems (GIS), to collect, present and analyse information. In so doing pupils develop a broad range of transferable skills in computing, maths and literacy.

The Geography Department boasts excellent public examination results with a significant proportion of pupils deciding to pursue the subject to degree level and beyond. Geography, a traditionally respected academic discipline, is highly regarded by admissions tutors in Oxbridge and in all leading universities. The subject is also highly regarded by a diverse range of employers who welcome the breadth of perspective, problem-solving and other wide skills which the subject imparts.

Key Stage 3

Geography is taught in ability sets from First Form to Second Form (Years 7-8). The programme of study is based on the requirements of the National Curriculum and a range of up-to-date resources are used. Pupils are taught fundamental geographical skills, techniques and vocabulary. These skills are applied studying a range of topics spanning the physical, human and environmental branches of the discipline.

Fieldwork opportunities exist throughout KS3 and have included visits to a farm where pupils conduct soil and river measurements and understand food production as an economic system. Pupils also conduct fieldwork on coastal environments and management on the south coast at Beachy Head and the surrounding area. Pupils have also visited the Earth galleries of the Natural History Museum as well as events organised in tandem with the Royal Geographical Society.

GCSE Geography

Our exciting GCSE follows the Edexcel GCSE Geography B syllabus. It consists of three papers which will be externally assessed at the end of Fifth Form. 

There is no coursework or controlled assessment. 

Component 1: Global Geographical Issues

Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes
37.5% of the qualification
94 marks

Content overview:

  •  Topic 1: Hazardous Earth
  • Topic 2: Development dynamics
  • Topic 3: Challenges of an urbanising world

Component 2: UK Geographical Issues (*Paper 2 code: 1GB0/02)

Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes
37.5% of the qualification
94 marks

Content overview:

  • Topic 4: The UK’s evolving physical landscape – including sub-topics 4A: Coastal change and conflict and 4B: River processes and pressures.
  • Topic 5: The UK’s evolving human landscape – including a Case Study - Dynamic UK cities.
  • Topic 6: Geographical investigations – including one physical fieldwork investigation and one human fieldwork investigation linked to Topics 4 and 5.

Component 3: People and Environment Issues – Making Geographical Decisions

Written examination: 1 hour and 30 minutes
25% of the qualification
64 marks

Content overview:

  • Topic 7: People and the biosphere
  • Topic 8: Forests under threat
  • Topic 9: Consuming energy resources

A-Level Geography

The A Level course following the Edexcel GCE Specification. This course includes a number of fieldtrips including previous destinations such as the Dorset Coastline and visits to the Olympic redevelopment in East London. There are also visits, careers advice and guest speakers organised in conjunction with the Royal Geographical Society, external organisations and University Geography departments across the country.

Content and assessment overview

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Geography consists of three externally examined papers and one coursework component. Although assessed separately, the AS-Level course and A-Level course are co-teachable and enable AS-Level pupils to move onto the A-Level course at the end of the first year if they so wish. 

Pupils must complete all assessment in May/June in any single year.

Paper 1 (Paper code: 9GE0/01)

Written examination: 2 hours
50% of the AS-level (30% of A-level qualification)
90 marks

Content overview

The AS-level comprises of Topic 1 and Topic 2 (50% of AS-level):

  • Area of study 1 Topic 1: Tectonic Processes and Hazards
  •  Area of study 1 Topic 2: Landscape Systems, Processes and Change

The A-level course comprises of the AS-level topics plus Topics 5 and 6 below (30% of A-level):

  • Area of study 3 Topic 5: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity
  • Area of study 3 Topic 6: The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

Assessment overview

An externally-assessed written examination comprising four sections. Students answer all questions in Section A (Tectonic Processes and Hazards), Section C (The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity) and Section D (The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security). Students answer either Question 2 (Glaciated Landscapes and Change) or Question 3 (Coastal Landscapes and Change) in Section B (Glaciated Landscapes and Change and Coastal Landscapes and Change). 

The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 10-mark and 15-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be
used.

Paper 2 (Paper code: 9GE0/02)

Written examination: 2 hours
50% of the AS-level (30% of the A-level qualification)
90 marks

Content overview

The AS-level course comprises of Topic 3 and Topic 4 (50% of AS-level):

  • Area of study 2 Topic 3: Globalisation
  • Area of study 2 Topic 4: Shaping Places

The A-level course comprises of the AS-level topics plus Topics 8 and 9 below (30% of A2-level):

  • Area of study 4 Topic 8: Superpowers
  • Area of study 4 Topic 9: Global Development and Connections

Assessment overview

An externally-assessed written examination comprising four sections. Students answer all questions in Section A (Globalisation) and Section C (Superpowers). Students answer one question from Section B (Regenerating Places and Diverse Places) and one question from Section D (Health, Human Rights and Intervention; Migration, Identity and Sovereignty).

The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 10-mark and 15-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be
used.

Paper 3 (*Paper code: 9GE0/03)

Written examination: 1 hour and 45 minutes
20% of the A-level qualification
60 marks

This paper is for the A-level course alone (20% of the A-level).

Content overview

The specification contains three synoptic themes within the compulsory content areas:

  • Players
  • Attitudes and actions
  • Futures and uncertainties

The synoptic investigation will be based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas.

Assessment overview

An externally-assessed written examination comprising three sections. A resource booklet will contain information about the geographical issue. Students answer all questions in Section A, Section B and Section C.

Sections A, B and C all draw synoptically on knowledge and understanding from compulsory content drawn from different parts of the course. 

The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 6-mark, 15-mark and 18-mark extended writing questions. Calculators
may be used.

Coursework: Independent Investigation (9GE0/04)

Non-examined assessment
20% of the A- level qualification
60 marks

This paper is for the A-level course alone (20% of the A-level).

Content overview

  •  The student defines a question or issue for investigation, relating to the compulsory or optional content. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the specification
  • The student’s investigation will incorporate fieldwork data (collected individually or as part of a group) and own research and/or secondary data
  • The fieldwork which forms the focus and context of the individual investigation may be either human, physical or integrated physical-human
  • The investigation report will evidence independent analysis and evaluation of data, presentation of data findings and extended writing
  • Students will be expected to show evidence that they have used both quantitative and qualitative data to support their independent investigation as appropriate to the particular environment and / or location.

Assessment overview

  • The investigation report is internally assessed and externally moderated.
  • The student will produce a written report of 3000–4000 words.

Career Paths and Courses

 

Geography is a valuable subject and useful for a wide range of different career paths: 

 1) A career position directly related to their geographical knowledge and skills.  

  • A degree in geography is an entry point to many geography related careers, for example: town and transport planning, chartered surveying, land and water management, sustainability, environmental consultancy, development, tourism, conservation, demography, housing and social welfare  
  • These careers may require further qualifications leading for example to chartered status, but many will offer the opportunity to do these qualifications whilst working.  

2) A career position which uses geographers' wide range of transferable skills  

  • The majority of geographers chose careers which make use of their transferable skills. These include information technology, administration and management, the financial sector, marketing, research, and industry and manufacturing . 

Useful Websites

A full overview of the KS3 National Curriculum can be viewed from the QCA website.

A detailed overview of the GCSE syllabus (GCSE Geography A) as well as the AS and A2 syllabi, are available on the Edexcel website. This website also contains advice, past papers and miscellaneous resources.