Geography A Level

TO MAKE AN APPLICATION TO MERCIA SCHOOL PLEASE APPLY VIA THE MERCIA WEBSITE https://www.merciaschool.com

The deadline date for applications is 31st December 2022 (more information is available on Mercia School website)

Our world is changing rapidly, and A Level Geography is designed to explore contemporary details about interactions between the natural and human-made world, as well as encouraging an interest in news and current affairs. As Michael Palin notes, ‘More than ever, we need geographers’. Expertise and foresight to help us learn about the planet — how we use it and how we abuse it.’ As a result, Mercia’s geographers will be the next important decision makers for Earth’s future.

At Mercia, geography will be taught explicitly by expert teachers who are passionate about the subject. Our teachers will outline and explain the major concepts and processes creating the world in which we live. This gives scholars the best chance of ensuring clarity and checking their understanding. Nevertheless, there will be significant opportunities for independent study and group discussion. For example, relevant case study examples of places and events will often be selected by scholars. This will require further investigations into the latest information about relevant issues, demanding that those studying commit time and energy to directed self-study.

Exam Board: OCR

The geography course includes a number of complimentary studies. In physical geography, we begin by exploring ‘Earth’s life support systems’, including detail on the water cycle and carbon cycle, which are both necessary to create and maintain life on our extraordinary planet. Scholars also investigate ‘coastal landscapes’, which builds upon a popular fieldwork study from GCSE. ‘Changing spaces; making places’ is the first topic explored in human geography. This is a crucial study, introducing scholars to the academic view of how places are used and understood differently by different groups of people. Scholars also investigate ‘human rights’ and ‘trade in the contemporary world’, studying how lives are affected by social and economic challenges and opportunities in several diverse, but interdependent, places. Scholars also explore ‘geographical debates’. The ‘independent enquiry’ process runs throughout the whole course, producing a comprehensive research piece, from which pupils can take thorough pride.

At least a grade 7 at GCSE

Geography is at the intersection of several academic disciplines, making real-world sense of knowledge and understanding established in both the arts and sciences.

As a result, geography is the perfect subject to enhance our scholars’ abilities in their other choices as well.