Term 1

Dynamic Landscapes: Tectonic Processes and Hazards

• Enquiry question 1: Why are some locations more at risk from tectonic hazards?
• Enquiry question 2: Why do some tectonic hazards develop into disasters?
• Enquiry question 3: How successful is the management of tectonic hazards and disasters?
• Key content d

Dynamic Places: Globalisation

• Enquiry question 1: What are the causes of globalisation and why has it accelerated in recent decades?
• Enquiry question 2: What are the impacts of globalisation for countries, different groups of people and cultures and the physical environment?
• Enquiry question 3: What are the consequences of globalisation for global development and the physical environment and how should different players respond to its challenges?

Feedback given twice per half term on essays – typically 12 mark questions.

This may involve a written mid or end of unit assessment.

Term 2

Physical Systems and sustainability: The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity

• Enquiry question 1: What are the processes operating within the hydrological cycle from global to local scale?
• Enquiry question 2: What factors influence the hydrological system over short- and long-term timescales?
• Enquiry question 3: How does water insecurity occur and why is it becoming such a global issue for the 21st century?

Shaping Places: Regenerating Places

• Enquiry question 1: How and why do places vary? An in-depth study of the local place in which you live or study and one contrasting place
• Enquiry question 2: Why might regeneration be needed?
• Enquiry question 3: How is regeneration managed?

Enquiry question 4: How successful is regeneration?

Feedback given twice per half term on essays – typically 12mark questions.

This may involve a written mid or end of unit assessment.

Term 3

Physical Systems and sustainability:
The Carbon Cycle and Energy Security

• Enquiry question 1: How does the carbon cycle operate to maintain planetary health?
• Enquiry question 2: What are the consequences for people and the environment of our increasing demand for energy?
• Enquiry question 3: How are the carbon and water cycles linked to the global climate system?

Non-examination assessment: Student prepares an Independent Investigation which must:

• be based on a question defined and developed by the student individually to address aims, questions and/or hypotheses relating to any of the compulsory or optional content.
• incorporate field data and/or evidence from field investigations, collected individually or in groups
• draw on the student's own research, including their own field data and, if relevant, secondary data sourced by the student
• require the student independently to contextualise, analyse and summarise findings and data
• involve the individual drawing of conclusions and their communication by means of extended writing and the presentation of relevant data.

Feedback given twice per half term on essays – typically 12mark questions.

This may involve a written mid or end of unit assessment

Term 1

Landscape Systems, Processes and Change: Glaciated Landscapes

• Enquiry question 1: How has climate change influenced the formation of glaciated landscapes over time?
• Enquiry question 2: What processes operate within glacier systems?
• Enquiry question 3: How do glacial processes contribute to the formation of glacial landforms and landscapes?
• Enquiry question 4: How are glaciated landscapes used and managed today?

Human Systems and Geopolitics: Superpowers

• Enquiry question 1: What are superpowers and how have they changed over time?
• Enquiry question 2: What are the impacts of superpowers on the global economy, political systems and the physical environment?

Feedback given twice per half term on essays – typically 12mark questions.

This may involve a written mid or end of unit assessment.

Meetings with NEA supervisor – verbal feedback can be given.

Term 2

Paper 3 preparation: synoptic investigation

The synoptic investigation is based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas.

Global Development: 
Health, Human Rights and Intervention

• Enquiry question 1: What is human development and why do levels vary from place to place?
• Enquiry question 2: Why do human rights vary from place to place?
• Enquiry question 3: How are human rights used as arguments for political and military intervention?

Feedback given twice per half term on essays – typically 12mark questions.

This may involve a written mid or end of unit assessment.

Term 3

External examination overview:

Paper 1: Physical.  30% of qualification. Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes. 30% of the qualification 105 marks.  The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 12-mark and 20-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used.

Paper 2: Human. 30% of qualification.
Written examination: 2 hours and 15 minutes. 30% of the qualification 105 marks.  The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 12-mark and 20-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used.

Paper 3: 2hrs 15 mins.  70 marks; 20% of qualification
An externally-assessed written examination. A resource booklet will contain information about the geographical issue. All questions in the examination draw synoptically on knowledge and understanding from compulsory content drawn from different parts of the course. The examination may include short open, open response and resource-linked questions. The examination includes 8-mark, 18-mark and 24-mark extended writing questions. Calculators may be used.

Non-examined assessment 20% of the qualification 70 marks
Assessment overview

•  The investigation report is internally assessed and externally moderated
•  The student will produce a written report of 3000–4000 words