Geography Summary

Our Geography A Level allows students to connect with the world in innovative ways. The course builds on the carefully constructed KS3 and KS4 curriculum that we have at the Manor Academy and allows freedoms for enquiries in terms of the fieldwork elements of the course as well as ensuring you have a strong grasp of global human and physical geography and their interconnected impacts. This allows you to understand your place in the world as well as giving the ability to understand how the world work and how other people, cultures and societies fit into the systems that have been created. The Geography A Level at Manor focusses on an understanding of natural processes and how they impact on nations with different levels of wealth to create a strong understanding of place specificity rather than a general geography of anywhere. This includes an understanding of how climate, natural processes and hazards impact the planet differently depending on geographical location. Similarly it allows growth of understanding of how international governance and relations impact on nations with different levels of wealth and how this is leading to an ever changing world as well as how the impact of development can affect economic activity and resources in nations around the world. 

Entry Requirements

Grade 5 in GCSE Geography and Grade 5 in English and Maths 

Course Duration

2 years full-time

Specification

Edexcel

How you will study

The course is taught by 2 specialist teachers per year of study, divided into Human and Physical elements of the course. One teacher will focus on the physical aspects and one teacher will focus on the human aspects in y12 and the same in y13 so that you are building up your knowledge of both over time and applying yourself to skills questions.  

You will also be taught the elements of fieldwork enquiries which you need to conduct your own enquiry with and there will be opportunities for fieldwork to test these methods.  

Component breakdown

Paper 1 – Physical Geography – 30% – 2hr 15min exam.
Tectonic Processes and Hazards, Coastal Landscapes and Change, The Water Cycle and Water Insecurity, The Carbon Cycle and Energy Insecurity 

Paper 2 – Human Geography – 30% – 2hr 15 mins exam.
Globalisation, Regenerating Places, Superpowers, Migration Identity & Sovereignty  

Paper 3 – Synoptic – 20% – 2hr 15mins exam.
The synoptic investigation is based on a geographical issue within a place-based context that links to the three synoptic themes and is rooted in two or more of the compulsory content areas. 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. 

Non-examination assessment: Independent Investigation – 20% coursework
Students execute a fieldwork enquiry (human or physical) using their own enquiry techniques, data analysis and presentation in the form of an essay. 

  • Accounting 
  • Data analyst 
  • Teaching 
  • Peak District 
  • Environmental consultant 
  • Geographical information systems officer 
  • Marketing executive 
  • Social researcher 
  • Town Planner 
  • Market researcher 
  • Nature conservation officer 
  • Political risk analyst 
  • Sustainability consultant 
  • Transport planner