Course Content
This syllabus will provide a balanced view of physical (natural), environmental (the surroundings of an area) and human (to do with people) aspects of Geography. It will use case studies (examples from real life) in order to show the links between these three aspects of the subject.
The syllabus itself is divided up into 3 units of study (called Themes):
The GCSE course will focus on the following areas:
Theme 1: Challenges of Living in a Built Environment
- Quality of life in urban areas
- Urban land uses
- Cities in LEDCs
- Urban-rural interaction
Theme 2: People and the Natural World Interactions
- Weather and climate
- Natural environments
- the hydrosphere
- river landforms
- coastline landforms
- Global environmental issues
Theme 3: People, Work and Development
- patterns of work and development
- different economic activities
- inequalities in development
- the United Kingdom (UK)
- the European Union (EU)
- other More Economically Developed Countries (MEDC’s)
- Less Economically developed Countries (LEDC’s)
Syllabus Details
WJEC Geography Syllabus B (Avery Hill)
All students will complete two pieces of coursework:
- A Geographical Enquiry – worth 15% ( a coastal study)
- A Geographical Issue – worth 10% (the impact of the New Olympic Park on East London)
- The remaining 75% will come from the two written papers.
Method of Assessment
Students entered for the exam will be in either the Foundation or the Higher Tier. Students expected to achieve between a C and A* will be entered for the Higher Tier while students expected to achieve between a G and a C will be entered for the Foundation Tier.
The course is assessed by two question papers and two pieces of coursework. The values of these elements are shown below:
| Name of Element |
How Long Will it Last? |
What is it Worth (%) |
| Paper 1 (F) |
1 hour |
30% |
| Paper 2 (H) |
1 hour |
30% |
| Paper 3 (F) |
2 hours |
45% |
| Paper 4 (H) |
2 hours |
45% |
| Coursework |
2 Pieces |
25% |
Foundation level students will do Paper 1, Paper 3 and the coursework. High level students will do Paper 2, Paper 2 and the coursework. The coursework topics will be the same for all students.
Both pieces of coursework will be Controlled Assessments carried out in school under examination conditions.
Homework Policy
Students will be set one piece homework per week. This is expected to last approximately 1 hour.
Resources
The New Wider World – D Waugh
Hodder Education Textbooks to accompany the Avery Hill GCSE course
Avery Hill Revision Guides to accompany the course
Oxford School Atlas