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The Marlborough Science Academy

Geography - Key Stage 5

Students who choose to study Geography at Key Stage 5 follow the Edexcel Geography A level course.

Geography is a dynamic, current and relevant subject. The course brings in all of these elements to ensure that students are taught relevant, current and topical concepts in order to develop and provide them with the knowledge and skills to achieve well in the specification.

This course will enable students to be inspired by their geographical understanding, to engage critically with real world issues and places, and to apply their geographical knowledge, theory and skills to the world around them. Students will grow as independent thinkers and as informed and engaged citizens, who understand the role and importance of geography as one of the key disciplines relevant to understanding the world’s changing peoples, places and environments. Topics include:

  • Globalisation
  • Climate change
  • Carbon
  • Coasts
  • Energy security
  • Water conflicts
  • Biodiversity
  • Superpowers
  • Development and health
  • Tectonic hazards
  • Regeneration
  • Human rights

The course is assessed through examination and independent investigation. 

Students will sit three examinations:

  • Paper 1 – comprising of short open, open response and resource-linked questions based on study areas 1 and 3 from the course worth 30% of the final grade
  • Paper 2 - comprising of short open, open response and resource-linked questions based on study areas 2 and 4 from the course worth 30% of the final grade
  • Paper 3 - All questions in this examination draw synoptically on knowledge and understanding from compulsory content drawn from different parts of the course. A resource booklet will contain information about the geographical issue on which the questions are based. This examination will be worth 20% of the final grade.

For the independent investigation students will complete and produce a written report of between 3000 – 4000 words based on a question or issue for investigation. The topic may relate to any aspect of geography contained within the course but must incorporate fieldwork data (collected individually or as part of a group) and their own research and/or secondary data. The investigation will be assessed internally and be worth 20% of the final grade.

Geography is relevant to many career pathways such as Urban Planning, Stock-broking, Sustainable futures, Conservation work, Volcanologist, IGO/NGO consultant, Leisure & Tourism, Seismologist, Politics, Statistician, Retail Management, Surveying, Accountancy, Demographer, Marketing, Explorer, GIS Specialist, Engineering, Meteorology, Architecture, Hazard Management, Development worker/aid worker, Energy.

Curriculum implementation 

Click here to view the curriculum implementation overview for Geography at Key Stage 5. 

Curriculum timelines 

Click here to view the curriculum timeline for Geography at Key Stage 5. 

Curriculum learning journey 

Click here to view the learning journey for Geography at Key Stage 5. 

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