1. science
2. mathematics

Year 9
Options
2015
Khalsa
Secondary
Academy
Principal
Date: ……………………………………….
Student Signature: ………………………………………………
Computer Science
Music
Design & Technology
Art & Design
History
Geography
OPTIONAL
Panjabi
Parent Signature: ………………………………………………
R Codling
French
Good luck with your choices!
The deadline for completion of this form is 27.02.2015
Listen carefully to the advice and guidance you are given by teachers, your form tutor and your parents. Choose wisely and do not just listen to your friends!

You do not have complete freedom to choose all your subjects. Some are compulsory,
and some have an element of choice. BUT there is sufficient choice available for you
to PERSONALISE your curriculum to suit your strengths, your aspirations and your
interests.
You need to choose one subject in each of the option blocks and two optional from the list below
This is also a great opportunity for you to select and design part of your own timetable for the next two years at Khalsa Secondary Academy. That means studying
subjects that you enjoy.

carefully.
KEY STAGE FOUR OPTION CHOICES FOR 2015/2016
The decisions you make could affect your future, so you must make your choices
NAME: ____________________________________
Year 9 is an important year for you. This year you will make some decisions about the
subjects you will study in Years 10 and 11.
TUTOR GROUP: ________________________________
Dear Year 9 Students,
Mostly As
A
You seem to like practical work. Look for options
where you can use your practical skills, do
something active and work on different types of
project.
Career ideas: construction, design and technology,
engineering, hair and beauty, public services, sport
and leisure activities
Mostly Bs
B
You sound creative. Look for options where you
can express yourself and work on new ideas.
Career ideas: art, catering, creative and media,
dance, drama, hair and beauty, music, textiles,
photography.
COMPULSORY SUBJECTS
Here at KSA the following subjects will be compulsory for
all Year 10 and 11 students:


CHECK OUT
Mostly Cs
C
YOUR SCORES
How many ticks did you
get in each section?
Write your scores in the
You seem to be a sociable person. Look for options
where you can work with other people and find
out more about how society works.
Career ideas: creative and media, health and
social care, hospitality, retail, business, health and
social care, travel and tourism.




Mostly Ds
D
boxes below. Most
people have more than
one interest so check
It seems you like investigating things. Look for
options where you can use your number and
thinking skills to find out more about why things
are the way they are.
Career ideas: biology, environmental and
land-based studies, chemistry, geography, history,
mathematics, physics, science, statistics.
out any score of three
Mostly Es
or over.
E
You sound like an enterprising person. Look for
options where you can use your energy,
communication, number and thinking skills to test
your ideas about how to improve the world.
Career ideas: business studies, economics, law,
modern foreign languages, psychology, retail
business, sociology.
Mostly Fs
F
Being well organised seems important to you. Look
for options where you can use your planning,
communication and computer skills to find out
more about the systems and structures that keep
the world working properly.
Career ideas: business administration and finance,
business studies, catering , economics, history,
hospitality, information and communication
technology (ICT), law.
English + English Literature
Maths
Science
Religious Education
Physical Education
Learning for Life
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
The following subjects will be optional for Year 10 and 11
students:


1 Language - French or Panjabi
1 Humanities - Geography or History
and 2 other options from the list below:




Art
Computer Science
Design and Technology
Music
GCSEs ARE CHANGING
The government has decided to change the nature of GCSEs to make them more
challenging - they think this will help young people to be better prepared for
further academic or vocational study, or for work. The new GCSEs will have new
content and will be structured, assessed and graded differently from current
GCSEs.
CHANGES FROM SEPTEMBER 2015
From September 2015, in England, new GCSEs in English Language, English
Literature and Maths will be taught in schools and colleges.
How will these qualifications be changing?
It is important to choose options that interest and motivate you.
What interests you? What makes you work hard? Do our quiz to
find out. Tick anything you enjoy doing or think that you would enjoy doing.
 The English Language GCSE will require better reading skills
and good written English.
 The English Literature GCSE will encourage students to read,
write and think critically. It will assess students on challenging and
substantial whole texts and on shorter unseen texts.
 The Mathematics GCSE will provide greater coverage of
areas such as ratio, proportion and rates of change. It will
require all students to master the basics, and will be more
challenging for those aiming to achieve top grade.
A
 Science GCSEs will cover new content, including the human
genome, life cycle analysis and space physics, and they will be more
mathematically challenging.
 History GCSE will require students to study more historical periods - it will cover
3 eras (medieval, early modern and modern) and will concentrate more on
British history.
C
writing a book
helping people
being active and working
outdoors
designing and displaying
things
sorting out arguments
making and fixing things
being on television
showing people what to do
using tools and machines
playing in a band
looking after people
solving problems
doing a makeover
doing voluntary work
CHANGES FROM SEPTEMBER 2016
For students starting GCSE courses from September 2016, a number of other
GCSEs will be changing.
B
building things
f
E
D
doing experiments
running a business
making plans
finding out how things
work
organising parties and
other social events
using a computer or
calculator
researching and testing ideas
buying and selling things
arranging things over the
phone
designing a new computer
game
entering competitions
putting CDs/DVDs into
the right order
doing calculations
campaigning for change
organising your money
GCSE MUSIC
 Geography GCSE will require pupils to use maths and statistics,
The course is split into 4 units:
i.
Listening to and Appraising Music (1 hour written paper, 20%)
ii.
Composing and Appraising Music (Composition and controlled review, 20%)
iii.
Performing Music (2 performances: 1 group, 1 individual, 40%)
iv.
Composing Music (Composition, 20%)
WHY CHOOSE MUSIC?
Making music is an enjoyable experience.
Music is often referred to as the world’s most spoken language. Whatever career
path you take, wherever you chose to go, music will be there.
Studying music will develop creativity, performance, confidence, comradery. You
will learn to use ICT, research and evaluations to improve your work. Such skills,
qualities and attributes are sought after in any career.
and will concentrate more on UK geography. It will also require
students to carry out at least 2 pieces of fieldwork.
Languages GCSEs will be more demanding and most exam questions in modern
languages will be asked in the respective foreign language.
For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/gcsesubject-content
WAYS OF ASSESSING ARE CHANGING TOO
In addition to the changes to the content of GCSEs, a different approach to
assessment is being introduced…
 There will be a new grading scale that uses the numbers 1 to 9 to identify levels
of performance, with 9 being the top grade
 Exams will be the usual method of assessment and course content will not be
Year 10
Unit 1 is all about learning what makes music sound as it does. We will study pieces
of music and broaden your theoretical knowledge in preparation for both your
own creative works, but also for the 1 hour written exam paper.
Unit 2 involves composing a piece of original music and reviewing it with reference
to particular areas. The review will take 2 hours in a controlled environment.
Year 11
Unit 3 requires you to perform two pieces of music; one individually and one within a group.
Unit 4 will see you compose your masterpiece! It will be inspired by areas of music
which we previously studied.
OTHER INFORMATION
For a more detailed breakdown see Mr Mylonas or www.aqa.org.uk
divided into modules
 Exams will be taken at the end of the 2 year course in May or June.
 There will be fewer short-answer and more essay-style exam questions.
Find out how changes to GCSEs, AS and A Levels will affect you
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/timeline-of-changes-to-gcses-as-and
-a-levels
COMPULSORY
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
All students at KSA will be studying towards two GCSEs with their English teacher.
These are English Language and English Literature. The exam board for both
GCSEs will be AQA.
Year 10
Paper
(Subject/Outline)
Length of Exam
Paper 1
Component 1 – Controlled Assessment.
A Mock practical
assessment of 25
hours assessment
Each student will complete one task from
the sample materials supplied by AQA.
Students will complete two exam papers for English Language GCSE and are
assessed on both their reading and writing skills. All texts in the examinations will
be unseen.
In addition to the two exams, students will also complete a separate unit on
Spoken Language. This does not count towards the English Language GCSE but is
a stand-alone qualification.
(Does not count towards to final GCSE
Paper 2
Different approaches to problem solving –
skills directly transferable to Maths and
Science
Year 10
- Reading non-fiction
- Writing to describe
Year 11
- Reading fiction
Component 2 – Computing fundamentals
A Mock internal
examination – 1hr 30
(Does not count towards to final GCSE
examination)
Year 11 (final Assessment)
- Writing to argue and persuade
There are two exams at the end of Year 11.
Subject/Outline
English Language Paper 1 – Section A: Reading (one literature
Paper
(Subject/Outline)
Length of Exam
Paper 1
Component 1 – Controlled Assessment
Minimum 50 hours
untaken in year 11
Length of Exam
Different tasks will be provided by AQA
each year.
1 hour 45 minutes
fiction text)
Explorations in Creative
Reading and Writing
Section B: Writing (descriptive or narrative writing)
Each student should complete two tasks
from a choice of four in year 11.
50% of English Language GCSE
English Language Paper 2 – Section A: Reading (two linked non-
1 hour 45 minutes
fiction text)
Writers’ Viewpoints and
Perspectives
(60 %)
Section B: Writing (writing to present
a viewpoint)
50% of English Language GCSE
OTHER INFORMATION
For the spoken language qualification, students will complete 3 assessments on
presenting, responding to questions and feedback, and use of standard English.
Paper 2
Component 2 – Computing fundamentals
Different approaches to problem solving
– skills directly transferable to Maths
Examination – 1hr
30mins take at the
end of year 11
(40%)
COMPUTER SCIENCE
The concepts and technologies covered in this course have the capability to
engage and enthuse learners. Students choose their Controlled Assessment tasks
from areas of interest to them. There are four areas to choose from:
- gaming
- mobile
- web
- more traditional PC based programs
ENGLISH LITERATURE
All students at KSA will be studying towards two GCSEs with their English teacher.
These are English Language and English Literature. The exam board for both
GCSEs will be AQA.
Students will complete two exam papers for English Literature GCSE. They will
study a wide range of literature including poetry, plays and novels, including a
Shakespeare play and 20th Century literature.
Year 10
WHY CHOOSE COMPUTER SCIENCE?
- Shakespeare unit

It is contemporary, relevant and rewarding.
Year 11

It prepares students for learning, working and living in an increasingly
digital world
- 20th Century text


It develops creativity, logical thinking, independent learning and
self-evaluation
It gives students a chance to design apps and software for technologies they
use - mobile phones, games consoles and the internet

It teaches computing which is of enormous importance to the economy and
focuses on computer technologies that are relevant in the modern world

It gives a thorough grounding in computing, creating opportunities for
students to move on to A-levels, vocational courses, industry recognised IT
qualifications and employment

It also supports progress in other areas such as technology, science,
engineering and the creative industries.
OTHER INFORMATION
GCSE Computer Science counts towards the English Baccalaureate Science
measure, offering students a new option that achieves maximum recognition.
- 19th Century novel
- Poetry unit
There are two exams at the end of Year 11.
English Literature Paper 1
Subject/Outline
Length of Exam
40% of English Literature GCSE
1 hour 45 minutes
One question on a Shakespeare play,
e.g. Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth
Shakespeare and the 19th
Century novel
One question on a 19th Century novel
e.g. A Christmas Carol, Great Expectations or Frankenstein
English Literature Paper 2 60% of English Literature GCSE
Modern Texts and Poetry
2 hours 15 minutes
One question on a modern prose or
drama text e.g. An Inspector Calls or
Animal Farm
One question on a cluster of poems (15
will be studied)
Two questions on two unseen poems
Please contact Mr Beeston, Miss Pennycuick or Mrs Sidhu for more information.
MATHEMATICS
Year 10
There are a number of key concepts that will be taught during maths with a focus
on real life and functional skills. As outlined in the national curriculum pupils will
be studying statistics, geometry and measures, number and algebra and within
these topics the pupils will be encouraged to demonstrate their ability of
representing, analysing, interpreting and evaluating any given data along with
communicating and reflecting effectively.
In Year 10, students who are studying at GCSE level will follow the exam specification and complete mini projects before embarking on their controlled assessment. An introduction will be given to materials and processes through a range of
design and make projects covering Resistant Materials, Graphics and Textiles skills:
The GCSE will be entirely assessed by 3 written examination each having a 33.33%
weighting to the final GCSE grade, which means that no coursework will be
expected from any student. Each exam paper will last for 1 hour 30 minutes.
Most further education courses and all universities will expect at least a grade C in
Mathematics, so it is important our pupils get a good start to their GCSE’s. The
EDEXCEL Syllabus encourages the pupil to see how mathematics can be used in
everyday situations which they may face once they have left school.
GCSE Mathematics has changed over the past few years and this new curriculum
has a much greater emphasis in examinations on the assessment of applying
mathematics and using mathematics to solve problems, and some questions will
be set in contexts that students should be expected to deal with in the real world.
Students might be asked to answer questions on, for instance, decorating a room
or designing a garden; or perhaps paying bills or sorting out rotas for shop staff.

Batch/Mass Production- Fundraising merchandise

Logo/T shirt Design and Packaging

Design Styles – 3D modeling, CAD and 3D Printing
Theory lessons will build on students’ knowledge from KS3 and get them ready for
the Unit 1 Paper. The topics covered are;

Classification and Properties of Materials- Paper/Card, Timber, Plastics and
Textiles

Manipulating and Combining Materials

New and Smart Materials

Design and Market Influences- Evolution of Product Design, Product Development, Communication and representation of ideas

Design Methodology

Packaging and Product Marketing

Design in the Human Context- Human Factors, Quality and Safety

Consumer, Ethical, Environmental and Sustainability issues

Product Manufacture- Industrial and Commercial Practice, Manufacturing
systems
Year 11
In Year 11, students will complete their controlled assessment projects which then
lead into the dedicated revision stage. Students choose their projects from a range
of design briefs and need to have developed a high level of independence.
Year 10
There is no formal assessment in year 10
Year 11
Outline
Length of Exam
Paper 1
Non Calculator
1 hour 30 Mins
Paper 2
Calculator
1 hour 30 Mins
Paper 3
Calculator
1 hour 30 Mins
Example of possible tasks:
Children’s toy
Jewellery
Desk tidy
Event promotion (bands, film, football events)
Flat pack furniture
Sustainable product
Lighting design
DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY
WHY CHOOSE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY?
This subject develops key life skills and equips you with the knowledge and
confidence to problem solve, experiment and analyse; skills that you will
use everyday even if you decide not to pursue a design based activity as a
career choice.
GCSE Overview
GCSE Design and Technology: Product Design enables students to design and
make products with creativity and originality, using a range of materials
and techniques.
Packaging, labelling and instructions are encouraged as part of the complete design proposal and advertising, points of sale can be used to supplement the making experience and help create products which can be evaluated for their commercial viability.
This course has 60 per cent controlled assessment in order to recognise the
importance of practical work within this subject.
Other Information- Please note students will need to provide
their own materials for their controlled assessment piece.
SCIENCE (Taught as Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
Brief Outline of the Course
GCSE Biology gives students the chance to gain a good understanding of:
Human biology, organisms, evolution and the environment.
GCSE Chemistry gives students the opportunity to gain a good understanding
of:

the nature of substances and how they react together

how Chemistry is used in business and industry

how our use of raw materials in fuels and manufacturing can affect the
global and local environment.
GCSE Physics offers students the chance to gain a good understanding of:

the use and transfer of energy

waves, radiation and space

the application of Physics
Year 10
Each separate Science is taught in units. In Year 10 P1 (Physics 1) and P2. In Biology B1 and B2 and in Chemistry C1 and C2.
Broadly P1 concerns energy, electricity and waves, P2 is about forces. C1 concerns
crude oil, metals and their uses, changes in the Earth and its atmosphere. C2 will
involve atomic structure and bonding within chemical reactions and quantitative
chemistry. B1 will cover topics involving health and genetic variation and evolution. B2 will investigate cells and cell transport, photosynthesis, and cell division
and inheritance.
Year 11
In Year 11 the remaining units will be taught; B3 which involves homeostasis and
humans and the environment. C3 concerning, among other things the periodic
table, Water, Ammonia, Alcohol, Carboxylic acids and Esters. P3 will look at the
medical applications of physics and how physics is used to make things work.
A controlled assessment will also occur for each unit.
Paper 1
Paper 2
Paper 3
P1, B1, C1
P2,B2,C2
P3, B3, C3
1 hour
1 hour
1 hour
Any other info
Each written paper is worth 60 marks, 25% of the GCSE. The Controlled Assessment is 25%
OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
KS4 FRENCH
Why choose this subject?
French is studied at Khalsa Secondary Academy from KS3 right the way
through to GCSE level. Traditionally French has been the first foreign language offered in schools in England, as France is a close neighbour and one
of the largest countries in Europe. Around 190 million people speak
French as a second language. French speaking communities are present in
57 countries. Moreover, French is the official language of law.
Brief Outline of the Course
French will follow the two-year course, with controlled assessments in writing and speaking taking place during the course and final exams in the
listening and reading skill areas in June 2017. The course will develop language skills in a variety of contexts for Writing and Speaking units.
• Listening and Reading assessments carry forward structure of existing
specification, offering continuity for teachers.
• Opportunities offered by new subject criteria to lessen the stress of assessment in Speaking.
• The GCSE course is built on the KS3 study and prepares students for further study, e.g. A level, AS; AS to A2 etc.
The four Modern Foreign Language skills of Listening, Reading, Speaking
and Writing are assessed separately, and then added together to give an
overall grade.
Year 11
For the second project in your coursework portfolio you will produce a unit of work
from a choice of themes and work in your chosen medium choosing between Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture and Textiles.
In January of Y11 you will receive your Exam paper from AQA – the examining
board and with the help of your teacher you will develop your Unit 2 portfolio
which accounts for 40% of your total course marks, completing your work for this
unit by producing your final piece in a 10 hour practical exam.
Unit 1
Portfolio 60%
Internally marked
A minimum of 2 projects make up Externally moderated
the portfolio for this submission.
Unit 2
Exam Portfolio 40%
Length of exam
A project produced in response to 1 10 hours
question from the externally set
exam paper leading to the
practical exam.
OTHER INFORMATION
Students will get the opportunity to go on visits to Galleries and Museums to further
their first-hand knowledge and understanding of a variety of artworks, studied
throughout the course.
Students will be offered the opportunity to buy a student resource pack to provide
resources to further develop their work away from school.
Letters will be sent to students about the above information prior to starting the
course in September 2015.
ART & DESIGN
Throughout your course you will be introduced to a variety of genres of Art, studying the intentions of other artists and cultures, using their work as an inspiration to
developing your own Portfolio of work which meet the 4 Assessment Objectives.
Your coursework portfolio will be made up of work produced both in sketchbooks,
larger 2D and 3D work and is worth 60% of the course.
Your Exam portfolio will be started in response to questions set by the AQA examining board in January of your Yr11, and you will complete your exam by sitting a
10 hour practical exam just after Easter in the same year. This work is worth 40%
of the course.
25% of the overall marks are reliant on your ability to further explain and annotate your work as well as widely researching other relevant artists and designers.
WHY CHOOSE ART & DESIGN?
Developing your creativity through Art and Design will enable you to problem
solve more confidently, understand your place in an ever changing world, communicate your intentions in a variety of ways, as well as increase your skills in all
aspects of Art that will be studied over the GCSE course.
Year 10
You will all do an introductory project for the first 3 terms in which you will produce responses to set themes and become more proficient in each of the course
components: Drawing and Painting, Sculpture, Textiles, Photography, and Printmaking.
After this you will be set a project which you will all be required to complete and
work using Drawing and Painting.
Year 10
Controlled Assessment – 60%
30% - Writing
Pupils will be assessed on two different pieces of writing, conducted under
supervision. Topics can be selected from those studied or candidates can
choose a topic of personal interest. Usually students produce two pieces of
writing assessment on the topics “Holidays” and “Healthy Living”. Students
will be expected to convey information coherently, and express and justify
points of view. They will have a few lessons to prepare for their Writing and
may take forty words of key vocabulary into the assessment room with
them.
30% - Speaking
Pupils will be assessed on two speaking tasks. As above, topics can be selected from those studied in class, or candidates can choose a topic of personal interest. Students will be expected to interact with another speaker
(e.g. the teacher), and verbally present ideas and information. They are
again allowed to refer to a page of forty key words, while performing their
Speaking assessment.
The controlled assessment component of the course will be completed before the exam in order to relieve some of the pressure at examination time.
Year 11
Examination – 40%
20% - Listening
In the listening exam candidates hear all the items twice, and then respond
to a variety of tests, mainly in English. Listening material may include instructions, messages, announcements, monologues, dialogues and discussions of varying length. The extracts relate to the Topic Areas studied. All
instructions are in English.
20% - Reading
Again pupils are given a variety of tests, most of which require short answers in English and again all instructions are given in English. The material
to be read may include signs, instructions, messages, emails, postcards, letters, internet sources, articles and brochures of varying length. The texts are
based on the Topic Areas studied.
KS4 Panjabi
Why choose Panjabi?
People living in the Punjab, and many Panjabi immigrants abroad, speak
the Panjabi language. Many write Panjabi in the Gurmukhi script which
was introduced by Guru Angad Dev Ji in the 16th century. Gurmukhi is a
simplified script that contains ten vowels and forty consonants. The script is
written just as you would speak the language, thus making learning to
read and write much easier. With more than 100 million speakers, Panjabi
is ranked as 10th among the most commonly spoken languages worldwide.
Panjabi is the most common language among British Asians and is used by
an estimated 1.3 million people of Britain. Qualifications in Panjabi contributes towards the English Baccalaureate. Learning Panjabi means being
able to connect with your culture and feeling confident. Seamless progression from GCSE to A-level builds on grammar and topic content can help
encourage students to stay with their studies. Given employers' demand for
language skills in many London counties, this could mean higher employability for students
Panjabi at Khalsa Secondary Academy: At KSA we try to bring the
language to life as students apply their learning to real-life scenarios. The
schemes of learning are based around the AQA Exam syllabus. All SOL are
differentiated to meet individual pupil needs. After each assessment data
is analysed and used to produce the next Scheme of Learning.
Brief Outline of the Course (Foundation Level)

Healthy and unhealthy lifestyle and their consequences

Relationships and Choices

Free time and Media

Home and Environment

Work and Education
Religious Studies (Compulsory)
Brief Outline of the Course
We will follow the Edexcel GCSE course.
Year 10
We will look at Unit 14: Sikhism.
Year 11
We will look at Unit 7: Religion and Life according to Sikhism.
Paper
Paper 1
(Subject/Outline)
Religion and Life according to Sikhism
Length of Exam
External examination
- 1 hour 30 minutes
Paper 2
Sikhism
External examination
- 1 hour 30 minutes
Year 10
History
ATTAINMENT TARGETS/SKILLS
Within the above topic areas, students will develop the following skills:
1. Listening - i.e. the ability to understand spoken Panjabi
2. Speaking - i.e. the ability to communicate orally in Panjabi
3. Reading - i.e. the ability to understand written Panjabi
Why choose History?
A study of History helps a person to develop a range of skills including evaluating evidence, being able to explain why there are different interpretations of events, understanding the motivation of people and developing the
ability to write at length in order to convince people of your point of view.
These are skills that are considered valuable by universities and employers
and so it is good preparation for a range of careers.
METHODS OF ASSESSMENT
Continuous assessment of class work and homework
Self-assessment
End of unit assessments
Half termly assessments by year group
Brief Outline of the Course
Route A of the Welsh Board. There is a range of British and international
history, both in the early modern and the modern period. Depth studies focusing on the development of particular skills such as source analysis and
integrating different types of history are complemented by a study of
change and continuity over time and a historical enquiry.
Year 11 (Higher Level)

Healthy and unhealthy lifestyle and their consequences
Year 10

Relationships and Choices
We will look at ‘Germany in transition, 1919-1947’ and make a parallel study
of ‘The development of the USA, 1930-2000.’ This year we will focus on international history.

Free time and Media

Home and Environment

Work and Education
Year 11
We will make a depth study of ‘The Elizabethan Age, 1558-1603’ and conduct a historical enquiry into ‘How the industrial revolution affected people’s lives.’ This year we will focus on British history.
Paper
(Subject/Outline)
Length of Exam
Paper 1
A study in depth: Germany in
transition, 1919-1947
The Elizabethan Age, 1558-1603
External examination - 1 hour
15 minutes
External examination - 1 hour
15 minutes
External examination - 1 hour
15 minutes
Internally assessed controlled
assessment
Paper 2
Paper 3
Paper 4
The development of the USA,
1930-2000
Historical enquiry
ASSESSMENT:
The four Modern Foreign Language skills of Listening, Reading, Speaking and
Writing are assessed separately, and then added together to give the overall
grade. It is made up of the following:
25% Writing
Length
Marks
1 Hour
50 Marks
25% Speaking 10-12 minutes
40 Marks
25% Listening
30-40minutes
35-40 Marks
25% Reading
30-50 Minutes
35-40 Marks
Geography
Why choose Geography?
A study of Geography helps a person to develop a range of skills including
map reading and skill in extracting and interpreting information from a
range of sources as well as conducting a geographical enquiry. There is also
a wide range of knowledge covered which provides important background
and context for many issues in the world today and which make it a valued
subject both by universities and employers.
Brief Outline of the Course
Following Edexcel Geography A, we will look at a range of world issues,
covering both physical and human geography and pupils have the opportunity to develop their geographical skills.
Year 10
We will look at climate change and sustainable development and develop
our cartographical and graphical skills. Later, we will study landscapes –
coastal, river and tectonic – and make a study in depth on ‘A wasteful
world.’
There is no external exam in Y10. However, units will be teacher assessed
using exam style questions in preparation for the final exams in Y11.
Year 11
We will make a study of change – economic change, settlement change
and population change – as well as looking in detail at migration. Later,
we will conduct a field trip to carry out a geographical enquiry into ‘Land
use in urban areas.’
Paper
(Subject/Outline)
Length of Exam
Paper 1
Geographical skills and challenges
Paper 2
The natural environment
Paper 3
The human environment
Paper 4
Investigating geography
External examination
- 1 hour
External examination
- 1 hour 15 minutes
External examination
- 1 hour 15 minutes
Internally assessed
controlled assessment
Careers with geography
Studying geography opens up a wide range of careers. Find out more
about the types of jobs and career paths that geographers can enjoy.
Things to consider when choosing a career
 Which aspects of geography do you enjoy?
 Do you prefer to work in a team or by yourself?
 Which of your geographical skills are your strengths?
 All jobs need broad, transferable skills. Think about how you have a portfolio of work?
 Will you need any professional qualifications to follow your career path?