AQA 8035

General

The course is based on the AQA 8035 Geography syllabus. It is a challenging and contemporary course with emphasis on the changing nature of the world and the challenges faced. It focuses upon enquiry-based learning, investigation, decision making, problem solving and reflective thinking.

The aims of this specification are for students to:

• Make sense of the fast-changing world in which they live.
• Develop, enhance and apply a wide range of subject specific skills which will serve them purposefully in future years.
• Undertake fieldwork and use a range of secondary sources including new technologies to collect contemporary geographical information.
• Acquire knowledge and understanding of a range of environments and places at a local, national, international and global scale, and the processes that create them.
• Develop a framework of spatial awareness in which to appreciate the importance, interconnectedness and interdependence that exists between different places and environments.
• Appreciate similarities and differences between people’s views of the world, contrasting environments, societies and cultures.
• Understand the significance of values and attitudes to the development and resolution of issues.
• Develop students’ responsibilities as global citizens and encourage them recognise how they can contribute to a sustainable and inclusive future.

Subject Content

Living with the physical environment

• Section A: The challenge of natural hazards
• Section B: Physical landscapes in the UK
• Section C: The living world
  

Challenges in the human environment

• Section A: Urban issues and challenges
• Section B: The changing economic world
• Section C: The challenge of resource management
  

Geographical applications

• Section A: Issue evaluation
• Section B: Fieldwork
  

Geographical skills

• Geographical skills

Assessment

Paper 1 – Living with the Physical Environment

The challenge of natural hazards, physical landscapes in the UK, the living world, geographical skills.

How it's assessed:

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
88 marks (including 3 marks for spelling, punctuation, grammar and specialist terminology)

35% of GCSE

Paper 2 – Challenges in the Human Environment

Urban issues and challenges, the changing economic world, the challenge of resource management, geographical skills.

How it’s assessed:

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
88 marks (including 3 marks for SPG)
35% of GCSE.

Paper 3 - Geographical Applications

Issue evaluation, fieldwork, geographical skills.

How it’s assessed:

Written exam: 1 hour
76 marks (including 6 marks for SPGST)
30% of GCSE
Pre-release resources made available from 15 March in the year of the exam.

It is expected that all students will participate in the GCSE Geography field trip during Year 10. This is an integral part of the course and forms the basis for the focus of the fieldwork section of Paper 3. The field trip will most likely be to Bournemouth, to conduct studies into coastal management (physical geography) and fieldwork in the town centre (human geography). The cost of the trip is usually in the region of £15.
We also strongly recommend that students buy an AQA Revision Guide at the beginning of the course, as these will be used consistently in class and for home learning activities. They are available from the school and cost approximately £6.

Students who take Geography at GCSE must have completed their foundation year in Geography in Year 9, due to the essential skills and content that are covered in Year 9.

More info: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/specification-at-a-glance

Enquiries to:

Mr B Ware (Subject Leader Geography)
email: b.ware@brookfield.hants.sch.uk