Geography follows a linear course, with six units taught across the two years, as well as an independent enquiry which is undertaken in the summer term of the first year.

The topics we will be studying are:

Physical geography

• Water and carbon cycles 
• Hazards 
• Coastal systems and landscapes

Human geography

• Changing places
• Global systems and global governance 
• Resource security 

More detail can be found in the AQA specification here.

In both years, you will investigate geographical issues through a variety of teaching and learning styles, ranging from independent research to group work and presentations.  You are encouraged to read widely around the topics and contribute to class discussions.

You will also have opportunities to study the subject in the field (for example day trips to West Wittering, Bognor Regis and Farnborough, and a possible/potential optional residential trip to Italy in Year 13) and bring first-hand observations into the classroom. 

IT skills such as internet research and data presentation will become an integral part of your work and we encourage you to make full use of the College facilities.  You will also develop key geographical skills throughout the year, and work on an individual geographical investigation (NEA - Non examined assessment) at the end of Year 12.

At the end of the two year course, you will take external exams that assess content covered in the first and second year.  These exams (along with the NEA) will determine your A level grade.

Exams: There will be 2 x 2.5 hour exams at the end of the second year:

1. Physical Geography (40% of total mark)
2. Human Geography (40% of total mark)

Plus there is an individual NEA component which you will choose from a range of topics covered on the specification.  This will contribute 20% towards your total grade.

Fieldwork and visits: Four compulsory days of fieldwork are part of the new A level course.  Day trips will be taking place in the local area, for example place studies in Farnborough and coastal fieldwork at West Wittering.  We also take all of the students to Bognor Regis or Guildford to develop fieldwork skills before they make a formal start on their independent enquiry.  We sometimes run a residential field trip in the second year.

• Opportunity to take part in RGS competitions and schools geology competition;
• MEE - students in year 12 have been taught by and engaged with the Chichester Harbour Conservancy;
• Podcasts recommended as extra research from the RGS;
• Book/reading list provided with the course prep work and articles are linked from the Study Directory;
• Back copies of Geographical and Geography Review available in classrooms;
• The NEA encourages students to stretch themselves and pursue a research project of their own choice;
• Lunchtime revision sessions and regular workshops on exam technique (pushing for the high grades and some specifically for A*);
• Three day trips for all students to extend their understanding and develop their field work techniques (Farnborough, West Wittering and Bognor Regis);
• Lunchtime discussion groups on current geographical topics;
• Visiting lectures from university lecturers.

Geography is considered both a humanities and a science subject and as such has a wide range of other subjects that complement it.  Geography spans such a wide range of disciplines that it is difficult to find a subject that doesn't have some connection to it!  Students have found the course particularly complements subjects such as economics, maths, biology, chemistry, psychology, physics and politics. Studying geography alongside another essay based subject such as economics or politics helps to develop literacy skills.

Students who wish to specialise in certain aspects of the subject at degree level should look carefully at the course requirements.  For example, Earth sciences may require physics; for some courses maths with statistics may be an advantage.

The A level course includes a range of skills which are readily transferable to other subjects and higher education.  Geography and associated subjects, including geology, oceanography, geophysical sciences, conservation management and forensic geography (to name but a few!) have proved to be popular choices for study at university.

Please see below for careers and labour market information for geography - use the refresh buttons to find out about different courses and careers, and use the left and right arrows to view more detailed information.

You can find the prep work for this course at prepwork.farnborough.ac.uk. 

Q: Where do students go on fieldtrips? 
A: We visit the following locations:

• West Wittering, to study coastal systems and landscapes and to develop fieldwork skills.
• Farnborough, to investigate the local area (for the Changing Places topic), and to further develop fieldwork skills.
• Guildford or Bognor Regis in the summer term, to prepare for the non-exam assessment.
• A possible/potential optional residential trip to Italy in the second year.

Q: How big are the classes?
A: This varies from year to year depending on the size of the overall cohort, but there are generally between 20-23 students in each first year class.