Geography – Year 10
AQA A GCSE Geography 9030 (Linear)
Examination Details
Paper 1:
External examination worth 37.5% of total marks (Physical paper)
Paper 2:
External examination worth 37.5% of total marks (Human paper)
GCSE Geography Controlled Assessment
Internally assessed initially and worth 25% of total marks. This work is based on residential
fieldwork covered at Castleton, in the Peak District. This course highlights the critical
importance of Geography for understanding the world and for stimulating an interest in places.
It will encourage our pupils to become global citizens by exploring their place in the world,
their values and responsibilities to other people and to the environment. The content focuses
on current issues and should inspire and motivate pupils to study GCSE Geography.
Course Details
The aims of the Geography GCSE are:
 An understanding of physical processes and factors that produce diverse and dynamic
landscapes that change over time:
 Allow pupils to understand the interdependence of physical environments and the
interaction between people and the environment:
 To appreciate the need for sustainable management of both physical and human
environments:
 Pupils will learn to appreciate the differences between people, places and cultures
leading to an improved understanding of societies and economies:
 Pupils will be encouraged to question, investigate and think critically about issues
involving the world and people’s lives:
 Pupils will develop skills such as problem solving, decision making, synthesising ideas,
identifying issues and communicating findings through undertaking a fieldwork
investigation.
 Allow pupils to appreciate that the study of geography is dynamic, and constantly
changing
 Allow pupils to acquire and apply the skills and techniques – including those of mapwork, fieldwork and information and communication technology
This subject has strong links with other subjects, including citizenship and ICT, and areas of
the curriculum such as science which focus on sustainability and the global dimension.
Assessment
There are two external examinations and one piece of Controlled Assessment based on
primary data collected in Castleton (approximately 2000 words). These are detailed above
and are added together to give an overall GCSE grade.
Controlled Assessment
The Controlled Assessment takes place in Y10 and involves a residential visit to Castleton.
For the purpose of data collection this experience covers a week-day and weekend (usually a
Friday and a Saturday) in March. Whilst there the pupils will undertake a range of fieldwork
including: traffic and pedestrian counts, environmental quality assessments, questionnaires,
land use survey and settlement survey. Pupils then have to follow the controlled assessment
guidance and submit a piece of coursework testing a chosen hypothesis.
Part of the
controlled assessment will be subject to a “High Level of Control” i.e. interpretation, analysis,
conclusions and evaluation will be completed under exam conditions in the hall. Please note
that a donation of around £70.00 will be needed to cover the cost of the GCSE field work at Castleton.
Social, Moral, Spiritual, Cultural Links
Threats to the planet, including global warming
Conflicting values of tourism and spirituality
Problems created by the development of tourism
Changing urban environments-including people in the decision making process
Impacts of mass tourism in tropical countries
Strategies aimed at supporting the multicultural nature of many urban areas
Extended Learning
Pupils will be expected to complete one piece of Geography extended learning each week.
This may cover a range of activities including: coursework tasks, past paper exam questions,
research and producing case study summaries.
Study Support
Pupils will find that their Geography teacher will always make time for any pupil who is having
difficulties with any aspect of the Geography GCSE. There is a range of support in Geography
including a limited stock of GCSE revision guides which are sold at cost. Please see your
Geography teacher for more information.
September 2015