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    • Curriculum

    Geography

    Overview

    Post-16 Geography at John Kyrle High School is delivered by all three members of the department — Mr Calderbank, Mr Wallace, and Miss Jones — each bringing their own areas of interest and expertise to the course.

    Students follow the Edexcel A Level Geography specification, which offers a balanced mix of human and physical geography. Topics build on knowledge from GCSE Geography, but previous study at GCSE is not a requirement. Some of our most successful A Level students have joined the course without having taken Geography before.

    Fieldwork and Enrichment

    A highlight of A Level Geography at JKHS is the Year 12 residential field trip to the Field Studies Council (FSC) centre at Nettlecombe Court, Somerset.

    Students spend a week in the field, working in small groups and independently to collect data from a variety of locations, including the River Holford and Porlock Bay.

    The fieldwork experience is central to the course and provides the foundation for students’ independent investigation, which contributes 20% of their final A Level grade.

    (The cost of the trip is approximately £450, with support available through the sixth form bursary and access fund.)

    What Topics Are Covered?

    Students study eight topics in total — four in Year 12 and four in Year 13.

    All topics are examined at the end of Year 13 across three written papers and one independent investigation. Each topic encourages students to analyse decision-making, consider multiple perspectives, and explore their own views through case studies and real-world examples.

    Students also develop advanced geographical, analytical, and evaluative skills that prepare them for higher education and beyond.

    Assessment Overview

    Paper 1 – Physical Geography (30%)

    • Tectonic Hazards

    • The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity

    • The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security

    • Coasts – Landscapes & Management

    Paper 2 – Human Geography (30%)

    • Globalisation

    • Superpowers

    • Regenerating Places

    • Migration, Identity & Sovereignty

    Paper 3 – Synoptic Paper (20%)

    • Based on a resource booklet

    • Tests synoptic understanding of all course elements using contemporary material and examples

    Paper 4 – Independent Investigation (20%)

    • A 3,000–4,000-word project based on data collected during the field trip

    • Internally marked and externally moderated

    Exam Board: Edexcel
    Specification: Edexcel A Level Geography (2016)

    Core Maths Requirement

    Students not studying A Level Maths are strongly encouraged to take Core Maths, as it supports the statistical and analytical elements of the Geography course.

     

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