Key Stage 4
GCSE (AQA Specification ‘A’)
The Department follows the AQA Specification ‘A’ course, which:
• adopts a people-environment theme throughout the specification
• allows centres to select preferred topics
• allows for maximum integration of skills throughout the specification
• incorporates fieldwork contributing 25% of the total marks
Topics selected for study at GCSE are:
Component One:
• Tectonic Activity
• River Landscapes and Processes
• Rocks and Landscapes
Component Two:
• Urban Issues
• Tourism
• Globalisation
All GCSE students are given the opportunity to attend a residential fieldtrip for 4 days in September of Year 11. The Department has used several Field Studies Centres. Currently, students visit the Preston Montford FSC (Shropshire) and study:
• fluvial geography on the River Ashes Hollow
• urban geography in Shrewsbury
A controlled assessment based on a fieldwork investigation is submitted during the first half term of Year 11