Examination Board: OCR
“What other subject tells us so much about the great issues of the age – global change, natural and human?”
Geography is essential in this age of globalisation. It has links with many subjects such as Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics, History, Economics, Government & Politics and ICT to name a few. Geographical skills and knowledge are also relevant to many careers and it is no surprise that Geographers are so employable. A significant proportion of our students continue with Geography or related subjects at university. Recent destinations have included Oxbridge, Nottingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Durham and Portsmouth. The A Level course would suit students who enjoyed the GCSE course and who have an interest in people and human and physical environments and the interactions between these.
A variety of teaching and learning styles are used such as presentations, group work, field 
work, self supported study and research, map work and seminars. There is plenty of opportunity to practise examination questions and essay writing skills. We use up to date and relevant resources. There is an emphasis on global issues of current and future relevance
The AS is made up of two units (Managing Physical Environments and Managing Change in Human Environments) which form 50% of the corresponding four-unit Advanced GCE. The topics covered include rivers, coasts, cold environments, energy, tourism and urban environments. At A2 there are two units – Global Issues (Ecosystems, Hazards, Development and Population) and Geographical Skills. All units are externally assessed with the Geographical Skills examination being partly based on field work. The Geographical Skills unit is examined in January of Year 13.
Students will develop a knowledge and understanding of the key concepts of place, space, diversity, interdependence, people-environment interaction, the processes associated with these, and change over time. They will use a range of skills and techniques and will study at a range of scales from local to global. Students will be expected to consider new ideas and developments about the changing nature of Geography in the 21st century and to critically reflect on, and evaluate, the potential and limitations of approaches and methods used both in and outside the classroom.
Geographers participate in a residential visit to Dorset at the end of Year 12 in order to prepare for the Geographical Skills unit. They conduct a range of field work investigations including a sand dunes transect, a rural settlements study, rebranding Boscombe in Bournemouth and changes along Chesil Beach.
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"[Geographers] are numerate, computer literate, analytical, good communicators and generally pretty personable, which comes through field work and team working"
David Lambert, Chief Executive of the Geographical Association |