Key Stage 4
The Edexcel Geography A specification is very much geared to the relevance of geography to the real world. It will have a strong emphasis on environmental management and sustainable development which are key ideas in many jobs today.
Edexcel A is divided into four units:
Unit 1 - geographical skills and challenges arising from climate change and sustainable development.
Unit 2 – physical landscapes (coastal, river and tectonic landscapes) and issues arising from the exploitation of water resources.
Unit 3 – the human world (economic change, settlement change and population change) and issues arising from tourism.
Unit 4 – one piece of coursework. The coursework element allows students to investigate a topic over an extended period. The coursework is based on a piece of fieldwork and allows students to demonstrate a range of practical skills. Teaching staff give plenty of guidance to students to make the coursework an enjoyable and successful part of the GCSE course.
Assessment
Assessment is as follows:
Unit 1 – written paper of 1 hour – 25%Unit 2 – written paper of 1 hour 15 minutes – 25%
Unit 3 – written paper of 1 hour 15 minutes – 25%
Unit 4 – coursework – 25%
Assessment is linear so students sit exams in June of Year 11.