Key Stage 5

A-Level Exam board – AQA

The A Level encourages a more holistic approach to geographical concepts and processes by being able to recognise and analyse the complexity of people–environment interactions at all geographical scales, and appreciate how these underpin understanding of some of the key issues facing the world today. As well as applying geographical knowledge, understanding, skills and approaches in a rigorous way to a range of geographical questions and issues, including those identified in 4 days of fieldwork, recognising both the contributions and limitations of geography.

The assessment is made up of two written exam papers and a non-examined assessment (NEA). Both exam papers are 2 hours and 30 minutes long and are worth 40% each of the A-Level. The NEA is a 4,000 word independent investigation on a fieldwork enquiry chosen by the students, and must be based on a question or issue defined and developed by the student relating to any part of the specification content. The NEA is marked by teachers and is worth 20% of the A-Level.

Paper 1 topics – Water and Carbon Cycles, Glacial Landscapes and Hazards.

Paper 2 topics – Global systems and Global Governance, Changing Places and Contemporary Urban Environments. 

At Chipping Norton School, Geography teachers have seen students enjoying and succeeding in the subject from year 7 to sixth form. This has led to a continuous stream of students deciding to study Geography at university, including Russell Group universities. In the last five years students have studied Geography and other similar degrees at universities such as Nottingham, St Andrews, Manchester and Exeter University.