Getting to grips with OCR Geography qualifications

Subject Specialists: Abi Carter

Mark Smith Shelley Monk

OCR Geography Vision

KS3 KS4 KS5Clear route of progression

Genuine choice of exciting

qualifications

Engaging and topical

Comprehensive package of

quality support materials

Critical thinkers

Independent learners

Confident in the use of

practical skills

Team players

Decision makers

Developed by teachers for teachers

• Teacher consultation • Student consultation• Dynamic developers • Consultation with the geography community

including Employers, Subject Associations and Higher Education

• Cambridge Assessment research

GCSE (9-1) Geography A (Geographical Themes)

Fieldwork and Skills

Living in the UK Today

Landscapes of the UKPeople of the UK

UK Environmental Challenges

The World Around Us

Ecosystems of the PlanetPeople of the Planet

Environmental threats to our Planet

Scale

Thematic study, with simple content layout – Key Ideas, Content, Scale

GCSE (9-1) Geography A (Geographical

Themes)

Assessment OverviewLiving in the UK Today (01)

60 Marks

1 hour 15 minutes written paper

3 SPaG marks

30%

of total

GCSE The World Around Us (02)

60 Marks

1 hour 15 minutes written paper

3 SPaG marks

30%

of total

GCSE Geographical Skills (03)

80 Marks

1 hour 30 minutes written paper

3 SPaG marks

40%

of total

GCSE

Geographical skills (03)Synoptic assessment of topics linked to components Living in the UK today (01) and The World Around Us (02)Geographical SkillsFieldwork Assessment

Living in the UK Today (01)Landscapes of the UK

o Two distinctive landscapes in the UK (river & one other)

People of the UKo Uneven development in the UKo Ways of life in a UK city

UK environmental challengeso UK climate and flood evento Energy in the UK

The World Around Us (02)Ecosystems of the Planet

o Ecosystems (focus on Tropical Rainforests and Coral Reefs)

People of the Planeto Uneven development o Ways of life in an LIDC or EDC city

Environmental threats to our Planeto Climate changeo Extreme weather conditions

(focus on Drought)

10 case

studies

GCSE (9-1) Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds)

Geographical Exploration

People and Society

Fieldwork

Our Natural World

Fieldwork

Scaleand

Skills

Enquiry focused study

Enquiry questions,Sub-questions,

content

Links, connections andrelationships

UK content spread

throughout

GCSE (9-1) Geography B (Geography

for Enquiring Minds)

Assessment OverviewOur Natural World (01)

70 Marks

1 hour 15 minutes written paper

3 SPaG marks

35%of total

GCSE

People and Society (02)

70 Marks

1 hour 15 minutes written paper

3 SPaG marks

35%of totalGCSE

Geographical Exploration (03)

60 Marks

1 hour 30 minutes written paper 3 SPaG marks

30%of totalGCSE

Geographical Exploration (03)Synoptic assessment of topics linked to components Our Natural World (01) and People and Society (02)Geographical SkillsDecision Making Exercise

Our Natural World (01)Global Hazards

o Weather and tectonic hazardsChanging Climate

o Past climate changeso 21st Century impacts worldwide and

on the UKDistinctive Landscapes

o Coasts and one other (both must be UK landscapes)

Sustaining Ecosystemso Tropical rainforests and polar

environmentsFieldwork and Geographical Skills

People and Society (02)Urban Futures

o Urbanisationo Ways of life in an AC city and an

LIDC or EDC cityDynamic Development

o Uneven DevelopmentUK in the 21st Century

o Population and economic changeso Political and cultural influence

Resource Relianceo Food security

Fieldwork and Geographical Skills

10 case

studies

Examined fieldwork in GCSE Geography

The world as your laboratory

Includes assessment of students’ own fieldwork experience

15% of the total assessment weighting

(5% skills and 10% application)

Simple form to provide evidence that fieldwork has taken place

Six components to the enquiry process, at least two tested each year

Geography AFieldwork

assessed as part of

component (03)

Geography BFieldwork assessed within components

(01) and (02)

A Level GeographyComponent Physical Systems Human Interactions Geographical Debates Investigative

Geography Weighting 25% 25% 30% 20%Time 1 hour 45 minutes 1 hour 45 minutes 2 hours 30 minutes 35 hoursMarks 75 75 90 60Key areas of Content

Landscape Systems

Earth’s Life Support Systems

Changing Spaces; Making Places,

Global Connections

Climate Change

Disease Dilemmas

Exploring Oceans

Future of Food

Hazardous Earth

From any unit

Skills/In content optionality

Skills/In content optionality

Choose any 2 of 5

Question styles

Short answer, extended response,

essay questions

Short answer, extended response, essay

questions

Extended response, essay questions

Project

What are my choices?

Investigative Geography (NEA)• 20% of A Level assessment weighting• Total of 60 marks • Independent investigation linked to any area of

the specification• Recommended word limit 4,000• Primary and secondary data collection

AS GeographyComponent Landscape and Place Geographical Debates

Weighting 60% 40%

Time 2 hours 1 hour 30 minutesMarks 90 60Key areas of Content

Landscape Systems

Changing Spaces; Making Places

Geographical skills

Fieldwork questions

Climate Change

Disease Dilemmas

Exploring Oceans

Future of Food

Hazardous Earth

In content optionality Optionality: choose any 1 of 5Question styles

Short answer, extended response, essay questions

Short answer, extended response, essay questions

How are we supporting you?Geography@ocr.org.uk

@OCR_Geography

School visits Geography Journey

Teaching and learning resources

Abi CarterMark Smith

Shelley Monk

In summary • New qualifications developed by teachers for teachers,

with learners at the centre• Clear, explicit content allowing for flexible delivery• Fewer case studies, clearly outlined and contemporary • Wide range of CPD opportunities • Teaching and learning materials available and in

development • Subject Specialists to support you and your schools • Collaboration and partnership with Hodder

Please send your feedback or any queries to our team of Geography Subject Specialists:

Geography@ocr.org.ukFollow us on twitter:@OCR_Geography