Whilst applicants must be capable of undertaking the whole programme, the Geography element is straightforward and is comparable in standard to the A-level; grades were excellent last year. Candidates can opt to take the subject at Standard Level or Higher Level. The difference between the two Levels is the time spent on the subject and the amount of work undertaken. The higher level option does have an extension paper designed to stretch your abilities.

Any Year 11 student capable of meeting the entry requirements for A-level Geography is capable of undertaking the subject within the IB. Current Year 11 students who opt for either the IB course or the A-level course will have the opportunity of undertaking residential fieldwork in either the UK or abroad.

Pupils who study Geography will be offered the following field trip opportunities:

• Day trip to the river shuttle.
• A five day residential trip to Malham to study the Geography of the area. We will be staying in an old manor house in the evenings. Staff and pupils work together to collect data throughout the day and enjoy a range of activities in the evening.
• Those pupils of a slightly more adventurous nature can come to Morocco and study the wealth of cultural opportunities available in an LEDC. Pupils will stay in Marrakech and experience the buzz of the souks, the thrill of the haggle and come face to face with Moroccan life at full swing. The highlight of the trip will be a few days in Imlil in the Kasbah du Toubkal, a mountain retreat to study rivers and irrigation.

Structure of the course

Part 1: Core theme – patterns and change

1.      Populations in transition

2.      Disparities in wealth and development

3.      Patterns in environmental quality and sustainability

4.      Patterns in resource consumption

Part 2:

1.      Freshwater – issues and conflicts

2.      Hazards and disasters

3.      Urban environments

Part 3:

Higher level extension paper

Coursework:

One fieldwork report of 2,500 words based on the trip to Malham or Morocco.