Students choose Geography because it encompasses the planet they live on, how they live on it and how they can manage it. Geography is all around us and is changing all the time. It is an incredibly relevant subject and as teachers we endeavour to make our teaching of Geography as up to date as possible, consistently using recent examples from around the world.
Hands on experience, including fieldwork is vital for enthusing Key Stage 4 students and supporting their understanding of GCSE geography by looking at real life case studies and examples. It is also important that students develop their fieldwork enquiry skills, so they can maximise their performance in GCSE coursework.
Key Stage 4 geography fieldwork programmes are fixed length courses with clearly stated outcomes that enable teachers to quickly and easily book a GCSE geography fieldwork trip, safe in the knowledge that it will be directly related to work taught in the classroom and will contribute to achieving the curriculum.
As well as covering specific elements of the GSCE geography curriculum all programmes also place a strong emphasis on developing personal confidence and team-building skills and an opportunity to consider aspects of Citizenship.
Sample programme Geography GCSE
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6 Day programme
Units for Geography GCSE / IGCSE
Click on every Unit to Find out more.
PHYSICAL
- Geology (weathering and erosion - granite scenery)
Weathering: Physical
Chemical
Biological
Erosion: Abrasion
Hydraulic action
- River processes
An investigation into a meander and how far it conforms to textbook theory is an option at this level, or a comparison between a meandering reach of stream and a straight reach. Simple downstream changes can also be investigated. An investigation into levels of pollution in differing environments is also possible.
- River management
Rivers and streams of the area have been utilised for a gravity irrigation process to water the meadows during the dry summers. There are also a number of abandoned mills along the Tormes, one of which has been renovated as a summer cafe.
- Biogeography: 4 Ecosystems studies
Contrasting ecosystems can be investigated in terms of transects to investigate species diversity, soils, micro-climates, etc.
- Glacial studies
Landforms of erosion and deposition can be investigated.
- Meteorology
The Centre has its own weather station. We also serve as a collecting station for Spain's central meteorological centre. Students can see the old and the new methods of information collection. We also have records of the climate for the last few years.
HUMAN
- Rural settlement
In depth studies, using primary and secondary data, can be undertaken to investigate the contrasts between a village located on the main road (Navarredonda) and one in a more remote location (San Martin) in terms of the impact of tourism on their respective economies.
Comparison of two villages
- Urban settlement
City of Avila: Delineation of CBD
A study of the CBD of Avila is possible similar to that offered for A and AS level but adapted to the needs of your students.
- Impact of Tourism
Visitor pressure / honey-pot effects
An investigation into a honey pot location and the effects of tourism such as footpath erosion within a glaciated highland area can be undertaken. This can also be combined with a study of the rocks and the landforms of the area.
- Farming systems
Interviews: input/output diagram
The area has a tradition of pastoral farming with transhumance, but there are changes taking place. Students can investigate the nature of farming in the area and consider the reasons for past, present and future problems.
- Renewable energies