Why teach WJEC Geography A?
GCSE Geography A
WJEC GCSE Geography Specification A is a
bold and exciting course. New in 2009, it was given
early re-accreditation in 2012. It provides students
with a stimulating and motivating geography course
fit for the twenty-first century. Balance is provided
by offering both traditional and contemporary
geographical themes. Students will be engaged,
challenged and stretched, especially by an
emphasis on ‘geographical futures’ which
encourages students to apply their understanding
of current trends to identify alternate future
scenarios and evaluate their sustainability.
The specification is clear and logically
structured. The enquiry questions within each
theme follow a clear incline of difficulty meaning
that schemes of work can be quickly generated
to follow the same structure. Themes are based
around enquiry questions allowing teachers to
adopt an issues based approach.
Contacts:
Andy Owen
andrew.owen@wjec.co.uk
02920265114
Steve James
steve.james@wjec.co.uk
02920265029
The teacher guidance notes suggest a range of
activities to enable students to develop their
geographical skills of enquiry, analysis and
interpretation of evidence, and decision-making
and their communication skills. There are also
many opportunities to use fieldwork and
activities that support the use of ICT and GIS in
the classroom.
WJEC offers quick and friendly support from a
highly experienced team. Andy Owen and Steve
James have over 50 years of geography
education experience between them. We are
always happy to respond to your queries.
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Core and optional themes
GCSE Geography A
WJEC GCSE Geography Specification A is divided into
core and optional themes. Unit 1 gives students a robust
core of geographical understanding. Unit 2 provides teachers
with an opportunity to select from a range of contemporary
themes. Together the two units provide, respectively,
breadth and depth of study.
Unit 1 Core themes
There are three physical and three human themes in Unit 1.
Between them, these themes provide students with an
overview of the essential knowledge and concepts required
for GCSE. Each theme examines process and pattern
before considering management strategies.
We recommend you spend 10 - 12 hours teaching each of
these themes. However, if you base one of the controlled
assessment tasks on a core theme, you will need to spend
more time on this component.
Contacts:
Andy Owen
andrew.owen@wjec.co.uk
02920265114
Steve James
steve.james@wjec.co.uk
02920265029
↑ Arriva Malta, globalisation is a core theme
Water
Population
Tectonics
Globalisation
Climate
change
Development
Core themes
← Gulfoss, Iceland. River process and landform
development are part of the water theme.
Page 2
← Urban waterfront redevelopment, Barcelona
GCSE Geography A
↓ Coastal landforms and explosion crater, Vulcano, Italy
Unit 2 Optional themes
Unit 2 offers choice and flexibility through six optional
themes. Three must be studied, including at least one
human and one physical theme. This allows students to
develop depth of knowledge and understanding in areas
they feel are most relevant to their interests and needs.
The optional themes require greater depth of study than the
core and candidates should be encouraged to develop a
range of case studies. Each theme begins by considering
patterns and process before considering recent change.
Each places an emphasis on geographical futures,
encouraging candidates to apply their understanding of
current trends to identify alternate future scenarios and
consider sustainable developments.
We recommend you spend 12 - 15 hours teaching each of
these themes. However, if you base one of the Controlled
Assessment tasks on an optional theme, you will need to
allocate more time to this component.
Optional themes
Our
changing
coasts
Tourism
Weather and
climate
Retail and
urban
change
Living things
Economic
geography of
Wales
Page 3
Assessment
Unit 1 (1 hour 45 min: 40%)
examines the core with six
compulsory questions, each worth
15 marks.
Contacts:
Andy Owen
andrew.owen@wjec.co.uk
02920265114
Steve James
steve.james@wjec.co.uk
02920265029
Unit 2 (1 hour 15 min: 35%)
examines the optional themes.
Candidates answer three 20 mark
questions.
Unit 3 (25%) candidates complete
two pieces of Controlled
Assessment, one of which must
be based on fieldwork.
Specimen Assessment Materials
(for first assessment in 2014) are
illustrated here and are available
in full on the WJEC website.
↑ A structured question from
Unit 1, Foundation tier.
← A question from
Unit 2, Higher tier,
requiring an
extended response
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Controlled Assessment
Candidates complete two controlled
assessment tasks:
• A fieldwork enquiry worth 10%
• A decision making / problem solving
task worth 15%
GCSE Geography A
Eight pairs of generic tasks are
published by WJEC annually, giving
an opportunity for centres to select
and contextualise a task that is
appropriate for its resources and its
students’ needs.
The specification offers plenty of
opportunities for fieldwork in either
physical or human themes. River or
coastal processes and landforms are
popular options. Many centres chose
to base their decision making
exercise on the future management
of specific coastlines, or the
sustainable development of tourism.
Examples of contextualised DME tasks
used 2011
Contacts:
Andy Owen
andrew.owen@wjec.co.uk
02920265114
Steve James
steve.james@wjec.co.uk
02920265029
How can the people of the Western Cape,
South Africa, benefit from tourism without
harming the environment or future
generations?
Examples of contextualised fieldwork
tasks used in 2011
How should coastal flooding of the
Newport levels be managed in the future?
How do coastal management
strategies affect beach profiles at
Walton-on-the-Naze?
Locating an urban beach in Paris
How and why does discharge vary
downstream along the River Onny?
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