Cambridge Pre-U Geography:
The Way Forward?
Peter Price & Claire Sladden
Geographical Association Annual Conference
and Exhibition
University of Surrey, 16 April 2011
Introducing Peter Price
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HOD Charterhouse
Teaching Pre-U
CGeog
Member GA ISSIG and Post-16/HE Committees
The Charterhouse Curriculum
• Pre-16 and post-16 almost entirely linear
• Ethos aiming to maximise learning time and
minimise examination disruption
• Geography Department traditionally offered OCR
GCE and OCR C GCSE
• Pre-16: majority of subjects offer IGCSE
• Post-16: majority offer Pre-U (only 3 offer A Level)
• From September 2011, Charterhouse will also
offer IB
Introducing Claire Sladden
• Geographer and
assessment specialist
• CGeog, FRGS, FCIEA
• Chief Examiner, Pre-U
• Principal Examiner, Pre-U
Paper 3 Global Themes
The Avenue, Trinity College, Cambridge, in spring
Aims for this Lecture Plus:
• introduce the Pre-U syllabus
• offer some reflections from the points of view of a
teacher and an assessor
• provide the opportunity to ask questions and
discuss classroom implications
Introduction
• The Cambridge Pre-U Certificate in GEOGRAPHY
is assessed through 4 compulsory components.
• The assessments all take place at the end of the
two-year course and a single grade is awarded.
A flexible qualification
• Cambridge Pre-U Certificate
– 27 subject syllabuses and core
• Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
– Builds on subject strength
– Freedom of subject choice
– Core components
• Global Perspectives Portfolio
• Individual Research Report
Syllabus characteristics
• Linearity
– Avoids fragmentation
– Reclaims teaching time
– No component retakes
• Authentic ‘stretch and challenge’
– Informed syllabus development
– Genuine synopticity
– Greater discrimination at the top end (addition of D1)
Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
Independent Research Report
Principal
Subject
Principal
Subject
Principal
Subject
Opportunities for
greater depth
Completely free
choice of subjects
Global Perspectives
Guarantees breadth
Optional Short Course,
Additional Principal Subjects
Global Perspectives and Research
Stand alone
learning pathways
Supporting progression to university
UCAS Tariff
Cambridge Pre-U
Band
Distinction
Merit
Pass
Cambridge Pre-U
Grade
Cambridge Pre-U
Principal Subject
Tariff
A Level
Equivalent
Grade
A Level
Equivalent
Tariff
Cambridge Pre-U
GPR
Tariff
Cambridge Pre-U
Short Course
Tariff
D1
tbc
n/a
n/a
tbc
tbc
D2
145
(A*)
140
tbc
D3
130
A
126
60
M1
115
112
53
M2
101
98
46
M3
87
84
39
P1
73
70
32
P2
59
56
26
P3
46
42
20
E
120
40
Principles underlying the Geography
syllabus
• That the core concern of the subject is the interaction of
people with the environment
• The importance of maintaining a clear and strong
physical geography component
• Flexibility, opening up choices for teachers, to reflect the
interests and resources of Geography departments
• The introduction of some new topics and of
new angles on others
• More opportunities for extended writing (essays)
• The need to develop enquiry skills
Assessment Objectives
AO1
show knowledge and understanding of the places,
concepts, processes and principles of the syllabus
content
AO2
select and use appropriate skills and techniques
(including the use of fieldwork and information
technology) to investigate questions and issues and
communicate findings
AO3
analyse and evaluate geographical information,
issues and viewpoints; apply understanding in
unfamiliar contexts; draw conclusions from evidence
presented
Syllabus content: 1 Geographical Issues
Section A (choose 2)
• Tectonic Hazards
• Hazardous Weather
• Hydrological Hazards
Section B (choose 2)
• The Geography of Crime
• Health and Disease
• Spatial Inequality and
Poverty
Section C (synoptic;
minimal teaching)
• Multiple hazards and issues
Syllabus content: 2 Global Environments
Section A (choose 1)
• Arid and Semi-Arid
Environments
• Glacial and Periglacial
Environments
• Coastal Environments
Section B (choose 1)
• Tropical Environments
• Temperate Grassland and
Forest Environments
• The Atmospheric
Environment
Syllabus content: 3 Global Themes
Section A
(choose 1)
• Migration and Urban Change
• Trade, Debt and Aid
• The World of Work
Section B
(choose 1)
• Energy and Mineral Resources
• The Provision of Food
• Tourism Spaces
Paper 4 Research Topic
One of three prescribed topics each year for a research
investigation involving fieldwork.
For examination in 2011 the topics are:
Microclimates
Environmental Degradation
Deprivation
Topics for 2012–15 have been published.
Programme of study from Charterhouse
Sequence
Physical
Human
1
Coastal Environments
Spatial Inequality and Poverty
2
The Atmospheric Environment
Health and Disease
Year 12 end of year examinations
3
Climatic Hazards
Trade, Debt and Aid
Year 13 Mocks
4
Hydrological Hazards
The Provision of Food
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Paper 4 fieldwork and research throughout 2 & 3 (Microclimates)
5
Revision (extended)
Revision (extended)
Pre-U: Support
CIE Support
• Essential materials online (syllabus, specimen
papers and Teacher Guide)
• Past examination material, including interim papers
• Small, so personal contacts with CIE (excellent
access to Chief Examiner and Product Manager;
example of examination dates) and other
departments teaching Pre-U
• Through the Online Community, administered by
one of the PEs
• No “tied” textbooks – blessing or curse?
A teacher’s reflections on Pre-U: The Way Forward?
In-built linearity is liberating
Academic liberation of open-ended content v more prescribed GCE content
Challenging contemporary content (for teachers and pupils)
I have read more in 8 months’ preparation for Pre-U than in the past 14 years
of A Level teaching
Bridging the gap to HE?
Evolving – get involved in shaping the qualification
BUT
Linearity in a modular curriculum
Resourcing?
International board on a learning curve about servicing increased centres in
their home country
Recognition (UCAS and beyond?); case of IB
Examiner feedback from first examination
in May/June 2010
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Small cohort
Established practices and procedures
Benchmarked against OCR 2009
Experience of awarding D1
Archived standards
Further questions?
Read Peter’s article in ISSIG “Notes & Queries” and
Post-16/HE Committee newsletter
Go to www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu
email international@cie.org.uk
making sure that you indicate Pre-U Geography
Product Manager, Pre-U Geography, CIE
Tim Kendrick-Jones