Upper Shirley High School

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Key Stage 4

Students have the option to study GCSE Geography in years 10-11 and the subject can be used as part of the English Baccalaureate qualification. At Upper Shirley High we follow the OCR B Geography Syllabus which covers four main themes:

1. Rivers and Coasts

• How do rivers shape the landscape?

• How can coastal areas be protected?

2. Population and Settlement

• Is the world getting overpopulated?

• Why does population vary across the world?

• Can cities be made more sustainable?

3. Natural Hazards

• How can you save lives in volcanic eruptions and earthquakes?

• How can the effects of floods and droughts be managed?

3. Economic Development.:

• why are there differences in economic development around the

world?

• How can economic development affect the environment and

people?

Assessment of the GCSE Geography course is based on four elements. Their weightings are in brackets.

1. Geographical Themes Exam Paper. Students sit this in the summer of year 11. Students are assessed on three of the above themes. (50%)

2. Sustainable Decision Making Exam Paper. Students sit this in the January of year 11. Students receive a source booklet on one of the above themes three weeks before the exam. (25%)

3. Geographical Investigation Controlled Assessment : An 800 word investigation completed in controlled conditions in class in the Spring term of year 10. (10%)

4. Fieldwork Focus Controlled Assessment : A 1200 word report produced in controlled conditions in the Autumn term of year 11. (15%)

Homework tasks are set throughout the year and these vary from research for case studies, completing graph and mapwork, completing extended writing tasks, producing powerpoint presentations to revision for the half termly assessments. There is also the opportunity to complete research for the controlled assessment prior to the controlled conditions.

Targets and Assessment : Students all have their individual target grades and they are assessed in each unit of work.