Monday 06 February 2012
Geography GCSE at Westbourne

Unit 1: Physical Geography 37.5% of the full GCSE
From September a new GCSE will be introduced at Westbourne but it won’t be radically different from that studied previously. The GCSE will comprise of three units, two having terminal examinations, each worth 37.5% of the final mark and one piece of coursework worth 25%. Unit A will include a Physical Geography Paper - three of the topics listed below will be studied over the two years the course will run.

UNIT A

Section A
The Restless Earth
Rocks, Resources and Scenery
Challenge of Weather and Climate
Living World

Section B
Water on the Land
Ice on the Land
The Coastal Zone

Style of Assessment
1 hour 30 minute examination

Candidates answer three questions, one from Section A and one from Section B plus free choice of one other.


Unit B will include a Human Geography Paper and again three of the topics listed below will be studied over the two years the course will run;

UNIT B

Section A
Population Change
Changing Urban Environments
Changing Rural Environments

Section B
The Development Gap
Globalisation
Tourism

Style of Assessment
1 hour 30 minute examination

Candidates answer three questions, one from Section A and one from Section B plus free choice of one other.
Unit 3: Local Fieldwork Investigation 25% of the full GCSE
Finally pupils will need to complete a Controlled Assessment based on a Local Fieldwork Investigation. This will include a write-up of 10 hours under direct supervision  Candidates will work under the direct supervision of a teacher at all times, with the exception of research involving primary and/or secondary data collection.