During Key Stage 3, students explore a wide range of human and physical geography issues in a variety of contrasting regions around the world such as Africa, Asia, The Middle East and Russia, as well as broadening their knowledge of the UK. Human geography issues such as population, economic development, urban environments and resource management, and physical geography issues such as natural hazards, ecosystems, physical landscapes and climate change will be studied and applied to a range of locations throughout Years 7 to 9. 

Students will also develop their geographical skills within the different topics, such as map skills, interpreting maps and graphs, geographical data analysis, use of geographical information systems and many more. Students also gain experience in how to complete and write up geographical fieldwork in different environments by looking at microclimates on the school grounds, and by visiting a coastal environment. 

Year 10 and 11 GCSE geography students follow the AQA GCSE geography specification (8035), exploring a range of topics relating to human and physical geography, and build upon their prior knowledge and skills from KS3. Students will explore a wide range of case studies and examples such as Rio de Janeiro, London, Nigeria, The Sahara Desert, The Amazon Rainforest, Typhoon Haiyan 2013 and many more. 

Students also complete two days of fieldwork during their GCSE studies in an urban environment (Chelmsford) and a coastal environment (Walton-on-the-Naze). 

The GCSE course is assessed with 3 different exam papers which are outlined below: 

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment – written exam, 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of GCSE 

Section A – The challenge of natural hazards 

Section B – The living world 

Section C – Physical landscapes in the UK 

Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment – written exam, 1 hour 30 minutes, 35% of GCSE 

Section A – Urban issues and challenges 

Section B – The changing economic world 

Section C – The challenge of resource management 

Paper 3: Geographical applications – written exam, 1 hour 15 minutes, 30% of GCSE 

Section A – Issue evaluation based on a pre-release booklet received 12 weeks before the exam 

Section B – Fieldwork – questions based on fieldwork techniques 

We believe the AQA GCSE Geography course allows students to develop their understanding of geographical processes and how humans are affected by and interact with these through exploring a wide range of modern issues in contrasting locations. 

Year 12-13 will be following the new Edexcel A Level specification. 

The A Level course offers students opportunities to study physical, environmental and human geography. Topics such as climate change, natural hazards, water conflicts, globalisation, urban rebranding and many more are covered. The course seeks to develop students' skills in analysing issues, problem solving, decision making and numeracy. A Level students complete 4 days of fieldwork to complete their own research project on a topic of their choice. 

Assessment at KS5 involves 3 exam papers covering and a non-examination assessment (NEA). These are all outlined below: 

Paper 1: Physical geography – written exam, 2 hours 15 minutes, 30% of A Level 

Topic 1: Tectonic processes and hazards 

Topic 2: Landscape systems, processes and change – coastal landscapes and change 

Topic 5: The water cycle and water insecurity 

Topic 6: The carbon cycle and energy security 

Paper 2: Human geography – written exam, 2 hours 15 minutes, 30% of A Level 

Topic 3: Globalisation 

Topic 4: Shaping places – regenerating places 

Topic 7: Superpowers 

Topic 8: Global development and connections – health, human rights and intervention 

Paper 3: Synoptic issue evaluation – written exam, 2 hours 15 minutes, 20% of A Level 

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. 

Non-Examination Assessment (NEA) – 20% of A Level 

Students produce a 3000-4000 word report based on an independent fieldwork investigation they have designed and undertaken. 

Students have the chance to participate in several field visits.  Recent trips have seen Year 8 students visit Walton-on-the-Naze to undertake a coastal study.  In addition, GCSE students revisit Walton-on-the-Naze and also visit an urban environment such as the Olympic Park in Stratford or Ipswich. GCSE students also have the opportunity to visit locations such as Iceland, Sicily, Barcelona and Sorrento on an optional 5 day residential. A Level students have the opportunity to complete fieldwork in contrasting locations in the UK such as Margam in Wales, Flatford Mill in Suffolk and Southwold in Suffolk. 

Whilst studying geography at Great Baddow High School, students have a wide range of opportunities to develop their fieldwork skills in contrasting locations. During key stage 3, Year 7 and 8 students complete fieldwork within the school grounds with map skills tasks and a microclimate project, as well as out of school on a visit to a coastal location to look at coastal landforms, processes and management. 

GCSE students visit Walton-on-the-Naze in year 10 to assess the effectiveness of the range of coastal management strategies. Year 11 students visit an urban environment such as the Olympic Park in East London, or Ipswich Waterfront in Suffolk to investigate the impacts of regeneration on people’s lives, the economy and the environment. GCSE students are also given the opportunity to attend an optional 5-day residential trip during the Easter holidays. During previous trips, students have explored Iceland, Sorrento and Sicily. 

A Level students undertake 4 days of fieldwork to complete their independent investigation, Previous trips have taken place to Margham, Flatford Mill and most recently Southwold. Students investigate a range of issues in the chosen location and develop and complete their own fieldwork enquiry.