Year-9 Options Presentation 2024 - GCSE Geography Course Overview

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Fahsai

GCSE Geography learning content for Year 9 option choices, highlighting why the subject delivers strong outcomes at Balcarras. The presentation explains transferable skills in analysis, research and problem-solving, and positions geography as a valued facilitating subject for universities and employers. It details AQA GCSE structure (linear qualification with three human, three physical topics), three exam papers with percentage weightings and question styles, plus two fieldwork opportunities assessed in Paper 3, and ongoing revision support. It also mentions a potential Iceland trip in October 2025 and staff/resources offered by the department.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages11

Reading Time28 min

AccessFree to download

Studying GCSE Geography

Course teaching and skills

Course structure and AQA specification

Exam papers and question styles

Fieldwork opportunities

Department staff, resources and support

Results and options myth busting

Studying GCSE Geography You’ll get great results! We are the highest performing humanity subject at Balcarras. You’ll be taught by a team of experienced and committed geography teachers. You’ll learn transferrable skills like being able to analyse, research and problem solve. Green careers are the future, and by studying geography you can be at the heart of it. We’ll get you outside…you’ll go on at least two fieldtrips as part of the course. You’ll use lessons from the past to help make decisions about the the future of our planet. You’ll have the option to come to Iceland with us in October 2025! You’ll be more employable! Geography is a facilitating subject, so is highly valued by universities and employers. What kind of topics will you study? | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | Physical | | | Human | | Geographical | | | | Geography | | | Geography | | Skills | | | | • Natural Hazards | | | • Resource | | • Rivers fieldwork | | | | • Physical Landscapes of the UK | | | Management
• Urban Issues and Challenges | | • Urban fieldwork
• Map, graph, numeracy and | | | | •The Living World | | | • Changing | | statistical skills | | | | | | | Economic World | | | | How will the course be taught? How is the course structured? We study the AQA GCSE Geography specification. Students will study 3 human geography topics, 3 physical geography topics, along with a range of geographical skills and fieldwork. It is a linear qualification. Students will sit 3 papers at the end of Year 11: • Paper 1: Living with the physical environment (35%) • Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment (35%) • Paper 3: Geographical applications (30%) The exam papers for GCSE Geography incorporate a range of question styles including: multiple choice, geographical skills e.g. completing a graph or finding a grid reference, short answer and longer answer (the longest are worth 9 or 12 marks – 1 to 1.5 sides of writing) . In many questions, pupils will be given a map, photo or other resource to use in their answer. What fieldwork will we do? Fieldwork is a fundamental aspect of geography which we are fully committed to delivering. The pupils have two fieldwork opportunities as part of the GCSE Geography course. One will take place in an urban environment (Bristol) and one will take place at a river environment (Blackpool Brook) . Fieldwork skills are assessed in Paper 3 – Geographical Applications. In addition every two years we run a foreign residential trip and have been to Iceland, the West Coast of USA and Italy in recent years. You’ll have the option to come to Iceland with us in October 2025! What is the geography department like? Department Staff The geography department is made up of a team of 5 experienced, enthusiastic and committed teachers with Miss Searle as Head of Department. In addition to their primary role as geography teacher, Mrs Bull is DofE Manager and Careers Leader, Mrs Cullis is Assistant Headteacher, Miss Niblettis Head of Selvey House and Mr Pearce is Website Coordinator. Department Resources Geography is taught in 4 specialist classrooms. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards. We also have a range of high quality departmental resources such as class iPads, specialist GIS software, modern texts and a set of 20 computers for pupil use. Department Support Throughout the GCSE course, the department provide pupils with a range of revision and homework support resources. In addition, we offer the chance to purchase revision guides and flash cards at discounted rates for pupils. In the spring term of Year 11, the geography department offer weekly revision sessions for all pupils studying GCSE Geography. Each class teacher will also offer bespoke support for those that they feel would benefit from this. What kind of results do pupils get in it? Where could GCSE Geography take you? Options

FAQs

How is the GCSE Geography course taught and what skills do students build?

Students follow the AQA GCSE Geography specification and study human and physical geography topics alongside geographical skills and fieldwork. The course develops transferable abilities such as analysing, researching, and problem-solving.

What is the structure of the GCSE Geography assessment?

It is a linear qualification with three exam papers sat at the end of Year 11: Paper 1 (Living with the physical environment, 35%), Paper 2 (Challenges in the human environment, 35%), and Paper 3 (Geographical applications, 30%). The papers use varied question styles including multiple choice, skills questions, short answers, and longer answers.

What fieldwork will students complete during the course?

Students complete two fieldwork opportunities: one in an urban environment in Bristol and one in a river environment at Blackpool Brook. Fieldwork skills are assessed in Paper 3, Geographical applications.

Sep 5, 2026

Upload by Fahsai