Geography A level

Geography A level at KWS is an academically rigorous course which will excite student’s minds, challenge perceptions of the world and stimulate their investigative and analytical skills. The course will equip you with the knowledge to critically explore contemporary issues.

Entry requirements

GCSE Geography Grade 6 or above
An average point score of 4.5 to access courses at KWS Sixth Form.

If you did not study GCSE, then a Grade 6 in Maths and English.

Course outline

Geography A level at KWS is an academically rigorous course which will excite student’s minds, challenge perceptions of the world and stimulate their investigative and analytical skills. The course will equip you with the knowledge to critically explore contemporary issues. Our aim at KWSixth is that students will finish the course with a greater understanding of the interconnected world and the importance of critical thinking in geographical issues.

You should select this subject if you are intrigued by the way the world works; both natural and human, and the interrelationship between them. The course is sought after for University applications due to the rigorous thinking required in essay writing, source analysis and investigative skills.

The teaching style is based on independent learning, where the teacher is the facilitator to help students think synoptically, making connections between content. For example, home learning might include reading and summarising articles or news reports. Then during the lesson there will be teacher input, consolidation of home learning, assimilating / summarising new geographical information, and exam practise in the form of essays or shorter questions. From the start of year 12, students will practise structuring and answering 20 mark essay questions to help them to ‘think geographically’. We emphasise criticality in these essays, building an argument through critical discourse of evidence from different sources.

Course content

Edexcel A-Level Geography, (Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Geography (9GE0))

We anticipate running two field trips. One will be a day trip to London’s Brick Lane to investigate the changing character of place in the area, and one will be a multi-day trip to Swanage to practice fieldwork techniques before students choose their own investigation.

How will I be assessed?

Paper 1, exam: Physical Geography, 2 hr 15 min (worth 30%)
Paper 2, exam: Human Geography, 2 hr 15 min (worth 30%)
Paper 3, exam: Synoptic paper, 2 hr 15 min (worth 20%)

Non-examined assessment – 3000-4000 words, (worth 20%).

Future opportunities

Geography is a broad based subject which provides lots of opportunities for future progression. For example, geography is an obvious choice for careers in sustainability and green issues, urban regeneration, energy supply, retail location, managing the effects of hazards and climate change.

For careers in the world of business, an understanding of global economics forms an important part of geography. If you are thinking of a career in law, human rights, international relations or welfare, then geography gives you the opportunity to consider relevant issues such as: How do we measure development? What are the consequences of migration on societies?

If you are working towards a future course in medicine or veterinary medicine then geography is a good choice to give your A Level options the breadth that universities seek, as you will gain a clear understanding of how the environment affects health and survival of people, animals and ecosystems as well as enhancing your skills of writing essays and extended reports.

Who will be teaching the course?

The course is taught by subject specialists with expertise across a variety of fields. Harry Inman (Head of Department) completed his Geography Honours degree at Durham University before completing a PGDE from the Institute of Education (UCL). His dissertation explored glacio-isostatic adjustment of the Icelandic ice sheet at the last glacial maximum, to help answer the question whether there was one or two ice sheets over the area. He conducted microfossil analyses in isolation basins to help answer this question. Lucy Moxham (Teacher of Geography, Head of Year) achieved a first-class Honours degree in Geography from Nottingham University, before completing her PGCE at Cambridge University.