This document provides an introduction to the GCSE Geography course offered by the Geography Department at St Ivo School. It discusses why geography is a valuable subject, outlining the skills it develops such as writing, data handling, problem solving, and spatial awareness. The course consists of four units covering geographical skills, the natural environment, the human environment, and an internal assessment. Students have opportunities for fieldwork locally and in Iceland. The department has been recognized for its teaching excellence and successful student outcomes.

1. The world in which we live is likely to change more in the next 50 years than it has ever
done before. Geography explains why, and helps to prepare you for those changes...
St Ivo School Geography Department
WELCOME TO GCSE GEOGRAPHY

2. St Ivo School Humanities Specialist College – Geography Department
Geography tackles the big issues:
• environmental responsibility
•Our global interdependence
•Cultural understanding and tolerance
•Commerce, trade and industry
Geography will help you to develop
transferable skills, which are highly sought
after by employers...
WHY GEOGRAPHY?

3. Compared to other subjects, geography graduates are among the most
employable. They possess the skills that employers look for. In part this is because
Geography combines a knowledge of science and an understanding of the arts.
Geographers learn how to:
• write concise reports
• handle data
• ask questions and find answers
• make decisions about issues
• analyse material
• organise themselves
• think creatively & independently
Geographers are:
• Good communicators
• Spatially area
• Socially, economically and environmentally aware
• problem solvers
• good team players
• computer literate
• well rounded, flexible thinkers
GEOGRAPHY AT WORK

4. Interested in world events?
Aid Worker
Diplomat
Refugee Advisor
Charity Coordinator
With the transferrable skills Geography develops, the list is endless, but here are
just a FEW ideas of geography related careers...

5. Course Structure:
Unit 1 – Geographical Skills and
Challenges
25%
Unit 2- The Natural Environment –
physical & environmental topics
Unit 3- The Human Environment –
human and people issues
Unit 4- Investigating Geography – an
internally assessed piece of work
undertaken in controlled conditions
EXAM – 25%
EXAM – 25%
EXAM – 25%
Internally assessed
piece of work
Unit Title Assessment Type
GCSE Geography 2015-2017 – Edexcel A
The course is made up of Four Unit covered throughout the two years. The exam has two
tiers: Higher – allowing you to achieve grades D-A* and Foundation – allowing you to
achieve grades G-C.
SO WHAT DOES THE COURSE CONSIST OF?

6. St Ivo School Geography Department
FIELDWORK OPPORTUNITIES
The Geography Department have
been running a successful
residential trip to Iceland students
since 2007 – the trip is optional
for those studying GCSE
Geography and supports the
Tectonics section of Unit 2.
All students will undertake fieldwork for their
Unit 4 geographical investigations unit, which
may be a local based urban study, such as St Ives
or Cambridge or a physical based study such as
at river or the coast (theme depenendent).

7. Our 2015 GCSE Results were 91.5% A* - C
We have also been given 2 awards this year
recognising outstanding teaching and learning.
As well as being awarded the Secondary Geography
Quality mark from the Geographical Association we
have been deemed to be a Centre of Excellence which
recognises the department's contribution to quality
geography beyond the school and into the local or
regional education community
We have also been awarded the
Princes Teaching Institute Geography
mark recognising our commitment to
constantly seeking to enhancing
teaching and learning of Geography
ST IVO SCHOOL GEOGRAPHY DEPARTMENT SUCCESSES