GCSE B Geography

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Choose Eduqas and you’ll benefit from:

• Geographical enquiry will engage, challenge and extend learners to ‘think like a geographer’
• By posing questions and investigating concepts and issues, students will develop the ability to
  think both creatively and scientifically ‘like a geographer’
• The design of the fieldwork component allows flexible planning by teachers to use favourite
  fieldwork contexts and locations
• Focus on understanding concepts and issues rather than knowledge of case studies
• Each exam question focuses on a single assessment objective

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Access to Geography B Summary of Assessment for 2022

Access to Component 3 2022 Additional Assessment Material

Arrangements for GCSE Geography fieldwork

Ofqual has published its decision report on fieldwork for 2022 Decisions on arrangements for non-exam assessment and fieldwork requirements for students entering qualifications in 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Please read both the summary and the decision for fieldwork.

Ofqual has decided to carry forward the arrangements that were put in place for 2021 to 2022 for GCSE Geography.

For Eduqas GCSE Geography qualifications this means students will not be assessed on their own fieldwork in Component 3, but they will still be assessed on ‘unfamiliar’ fieldwork. This means that the final questions on students own fieldwork in Part A and Part B of Component 3 will be removed.

WJEC (Eduqas) does encourage centres to undertake fieldwork ‘in the field’ with students where possible. This will support learners’ understanding of the fieldwork process and develop skills which are still being assessed. Fieldwork and enquiry skills should continue to be integrated into the programme of study;  these experiences could involve data collection remotely and/or the use of virtual fieldwork methods. This is also essential for progression to GCE Geography.

Eduqas GCSE Geography B aims to enable learners to think ‘like a geographer’. That is to say, learners will develop the skills necessary to conduct framed enquiries in the classroom and in the field in order to develop their understanding of specialised geographical concepts and current geographical issues. By following this specification learners will achieve the following objectives:

• develop the ability to think creatively, for example, by posing questions that relate to geographical process and concepts that include questioning about spatial pattern and geographical change.
• develop the ability to think scientifically by collecting and recording appropriate evidence from a range of sources, including fieldwork, before critically assessing the validity of this evidence and synthesising their findings to reach evidenced conclusions that relate to the initial aim of their enquiry.
• develop the ability to think independently by applying geographical knowledge, understanding, skills and approaches appropriately and creatively to real world contexts.

In so doing they should appreciate that geography can be ‘messy’ i.e. that real geography does not always match typical or predicted outcomes.

Eduqas GCSE Geography B adopts a distinctive problem solving approach to the study of interactions between people and the environment. By following this course learners will develop skills of interpretation, analysis and evaluation when they collect primary data and are presented with reported evidence and information. Those following the course will become critical learners as they consider the strengths and limitations of this data and evidence.

Eduqas GCSE Geography B also requires learners to consider the points of view of those who have a vested interest when they are affected by contentious geographical change. Learners will become informed and reflective citizens when they consider a range of viewpoints, values and attitudes which are held by stakeholders on a number of key geographical issues. By analysing the evidence and viewpoints learners will develop the ability to solve problems and justify their decisions. In this way, Eduqas GCSE Geography B enables young people to become globally and environmentally informed and thoughtful, enquiring citizens.

Eduqas GCSE Geography B develops and extends learners knowledge of locations, places, environments and processes, at a range of different scales. Learners who follow this qualification will build upon their locational knowledge acquired during key stage 3. This specification provides opportunities for learners to understand more about the distinctive human and physical features of the UK. It also builds knowledge of at least one Low Income Country at least one Newly Industrialised Country, as well as the wider world, the challenges it faces and their place within it.

There are no previous learning requirements for this specification. Any requirements set for entry to a course based on this specification are at the school/college’s discretion.

This specification provides a suitable foundation for the study of A level geography

In addition, the specification provides a coherent, satisfying and worthwhile course of study for learners who do not progress to further study in this subject.

Why choose Eduqas?

• The only specifications which take a singular approach to the assessment objectives meaning higher tariff questions in our assessments focus on understanding concepts and evaluating issues rather than knowledge of case studies. This results in more time for teaching geographical enquiry and less time teaching case studies.
  
  
• An unique approach to fieldwork – providing methodological and conceptual frameworks for field enquiries in each assessment series, designed to help students move from relying on framed enquiries to becoming independent learners.
  
  
• We offer a balance of familiar topics as well as contemporary geographical concepts, supported by textbooks and free digital resources.