Our A level programme follows the Edexcel specification. We have chosen this because their approach has proven to engage students as the study of Geography is through real world issues like Globalisation, responses to hazards like earthquakes and drought, water insecurity and climate change.

Students have the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the world around them, and become critical, reflective and independent learners. We believe this will help to equip them not just for university and a career, but for life in the 21st century.

At the end of this 2 year course, you will sit 3 papers worth 80% of the qualification, and also complete coursework worth 20%. The topics for each paper as follows:

Paper one (Physical Geography, 30% of qualification)

Tectonic processes and hazards

What are the physical processes which cause hazards and how do these interact with vulnerable populations, resulting in disasters? How can we reduce risk?

Coastal landscapes and change

How winds, waves and oceanic currents interact with geology to produce distinctive landscapes around the world, and how physical processes and people threaten those landscapes. What can we do to manage these areas?

Our A level programme follows the Edexcel specification. We have chosen this because their approach has proven to engage students as the study of Geography is through real world issues like Globalisation, responses to hazards like earthquakes and drought, water insecurity and climate change.

Students have the opportunity to develop an in-depth understanding of the world around them, and become critical, reflective and independent learners. We believe this will help to equip them not just for university and a career, but for life in the 21st century.

At the end of this 2 year course, you will sit 3 papers worth 80% of the qualification, and also complete coursework worth 20%. The topics for each paper as follows:

Paper one (Physical Geography, 30% of qualification)

Tectonic processes and hazards

What are the physical processes which cause hazards and how do these interact with vulnerable populations, resulting in disasters? How can we reduce risk?

Coastal landscapes and change

How winds, waves and oceanic currents interact with geology to produce distinctive landscapes around the world, and how physical processes and people threaten those landscapes. What can we do to manage these areas?

The Water Cycle and Water Security

How physical processes and people influence the supply of water around the world. Why is water security deteriorating for many around the world, and what can we do about it?

The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

We need a balanced carbon cycle for the health of our planet. Carbon moves between the different stores on land, the oceans and the atmosphere due to physical and human processes. Burning fossil fuels has shifted carbon from geological stores to the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The last time CO2 levels in the atmosphere were this high, humans did not exist, so we are now in unknown territory. This topic looks at these processes and how we can manage change.

Paper two (Human Geography, 30% of qualification)

Globalisation

Global interrelationships and interdependencies between people and places continue to accelerate. This has a range of consequences including opportunities for people and businesses, uneven wealth distribution, and cultural impacts as flows of people, goods and ideas takes place. This topic studies these consequences and how we can manage them.

Regenerating Places

Places are changed by local, national and global processes including movements of people, capital, information and resources causing decline and marginalisation for some. This topic looks at the characteristics of places, including how they are perceived by locals and outsiders, and how and why they may decline. It looks at ways places can be regenerated, and how we can assess success.

Superpowers

We are accustomed to the world being dominated by the USA and Europe. However, this pattern is changing as emerging superpowers like India and China exert their influence. This has consequences for us all as it affects the global economy, global politics and the environment.

Migration, Identity and Sovereignty

Globalisation leads to movements of goods, capital and people. This can cause tensions between the growing interdependence of people and places and traditional views of the powers of national government. Migration can change not just the ethnic composition of populations, but attitudes to national identity. This can give rise to populist nationalist parties like the National Front in France and UKIP in the UK.

Paper 3 (Synoptic paper, 20% of qualification)

This exam is based on a resource booklet drawing on two or more of the compulsory content areas from papers 1 and 2. Effective responses require knowledge and understanding from all of these areas.

Coursework (non-examined assessment, 20% of qualification)

Students define their own question for investigation drawing on a topic area from papers 2 and 3. They may collect data in the field, in groups, and will write their analysis, conclusions, and presentation and evaluation of data independently.

How physical processes and people influence the supply of water around the world. Why is water security deteriorating for many around the world, and what can we do about it?

The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

We need a balanced carbon cycle for the health of our planet. Carbon moves between the different stores on land, the oceans and the atmosphere due to physical and human processes. Burning fossil fuels has shifted carbon from geological stores to the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. The last time CO2 levels in the atmosphere were this high, humans did not exist, so we are now in unknown territory. This topic looks at these processes and how we can manage change.

Paper two (Human Geography, 30% of qualification)

Globalisation

Global interrelationships and interdependencies between people and places continue to accelerate. This has a range of consequences including opportunities for people and businesses, uneven wealth distribution, and cultural impacts as flows of people, goods and ideas takes place. This topic studies these consequences and how we can manage them.

Regenerating Places

Places are changed by local, national and global processes including movements of people, capital, information and resources causing decline and marginalisation for some. This topic looks at the characteristics of places, including how they are perceived by locals and outsiders, and how and why they may decline. It looks at ways places can be regenerated, and how we can assess success.

Superpowers

We are accustomed to the world being dominated by the USA and Europe. However, this pattern is changing as emerging superpowers like India and China exert their influence. This has consequences for us all as it affects the global economy, global politics and the environment.

Migration, Identity and Sovereignty

Globalisation leads to movements of goods, capital and people. This can cause tensions between the growing interdependence of people and places and traditional views of the powers of national government. Migration can change not just the ethnic composition of populations, but attitudes to national identity. This can give rise to populist nationalist parties like the National Front in France and UKIP in the UK.

Paper 3 (Synoptic paper, 20% of qualification)

This exam is based on a resource booklet drawing on two or more of the compulsory content areas from papers 1 and 2. Effective responses require knowledge and understanding from all of these areas.

Coursework (non-examined assessment, 20% of qualification)

Students define their own question for investigation drawing on a topic area from papers 2 and 3. They may collect data in the field, in groups, and will write their analysis, conclusions, and presentation and evaluation of data independently.