GCSE (9-1) Geography Ass. Eduqas is the new brand from WJEC, offering Ofqual reformed GCSE, AS and A level qualifications for first teaching from 2016.

GCSE (9-1) Geography

Ass

• Eduqas is the new brand from WJEC, offering Ofqual reformed GCSE, AS

and A level qualifications for first teaching from 2016

• WJEC Eduqas Geography qualifications are available to teachers in

England, Northern Ireland, Isle of Man and the Channel Islands

• Eduqas enables teachers to distinguish between WJEC’s current

specifications and Ofqual reformed specifications

Introducing Eduqas

www.eduqas.co.uk

Why choose Eduqas?

Access to subject experts by phone or email.

Stable and experienced examining teams.

Content that is contemporary.

The Eduqas model of fieldwork has been

developed to ensure that learners are fully

involved in the enquiry process – to help

develop thinking, critical geographers

DRAFT

Two different qualifications, each with a distinctive enquiry approach

What’s changed?

• New grading system (9-1) means more stretch and challenge

• Non-tiered papers

• New assessment objectives and new weightings. The new wording for AO3

(application), in particular, may have implications for how you teach

• New stretch and challenge in the assessment of AO4 (mathematical and

statistical skills) will also have implications for teaching & learning

• There are training materials on the Eduqas website already

1. Analyse the impacts on … 2. Weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of … 3. Discuss the points of view of … 4. What are the limitations of? 5. To what extent do you agree? 6. Which is the best option? 7. Justify your decision / choice. 8. What are the costs and benefits? 9. How might things change in the future? 10. What might be the consequence? 11. What ought to happen …? 12. Who should…?

InterpretAnalyseEvaluateMake judgements

Suitable ways to target this AO with your own students might be to use the following openings when posing questions of your own:

Locational knowledge of the UK

The geography community (GA/RGS) are concerned about how superficial

knowledge of locations can lead to limited understanding of place (Alan Kinder

and Bangladesh floods).

A more holistic knowledge of location and place should allow candidates to

develop a deeper understanding of issues and concepts.

Some element of synthesis UK geography will have to be assessed leading to

resource/training issues – addressed partly in the November meetings

Changes to fieldwork

• No controlled assessment – fieldwork assessed by examination only

• Fieldwork will be worth 15% rather than 25% currently

• Regulations will require two pieces of fieldwork in contrasting

environments to focus on physical & human geography and

physical/human interactions

• Each awarding body will require a fieldwork statement that describes

the fieldwork opportunities offered by the school.

• Opportunity to strengthen the department’s request for time/resources

from SLT.

Geography A summary of assessment

Component 1 Component 2 Component 3

35% 84 marks(plus 4 assessing SPaG)

35% 84 marks (plus 4 assessing SPaG)

30% 72 marks of which 36 assess fieldwork(plus 4 assessing SPaG)

One hour 30 minutes One hour 30 minutes One hour 15 minutes

Two core questions:1. Landscapes and Physical Processes2. Rural-urban links

Two core questions:5. Weather, climate ecosystems6. Development and Resource Issues

Three compulsory questions :1. first fieldwork enquiry2. second fieldwork

enquiry3. the UK dimension

One Option from:3. Tectonic Landscapes and Hazards4. Coastal Hazards and their Management

One Option from:7. Social Development Issues8. Environmental Challenges

Why choose Geography A?• Optional routes through the content allow teachers to specialise

• Contemporary content that includes geographical issues such as migration,

the impacts of mass tourism, health geography, gender inequality and

mitigating risk in tectonic zones

• An enquiry approach to fieldwork that engages learners and gives teachers

optimum flexibility of design

• Clear and concise guidance for each enquiry question through the

depth of study statements

Geography B summary of assessment

Component 1 Component 2 Component 3

40% 96 marks (plus 4 assessing SPaG)

30% 72 marks(plus 4 assessing SPaG)

30% 72 marks of which 36 assess fieldwork(plus 4 assessing SPaG)

One hour 45 minutes One hour 30 minutes One hour 15 minutes

Three compulsory questions . One question on each Theme:

A problem solving paper in the tradition of Avery Hill style examinations

Three compulsory questions :1. first fieldwork enquiry2. second fieldwork

enquiry3. the UK dimension

Theme 1, Changing Places - Changing Economies.Theme 2, Changing Environments.Theme 3, Environmental Challenges.

Why choose Geography B?

• Contemporary content that includes geographical issues such as river and

coastal management / how globalisation impacts on our daily life

• A problem solving paper that encourages learners to think geographically

• Clear and concise guidance for each enquiry question through the

depth of study statements

• The opportunity to explore values and attitudes

• An enquiry approach to fieldwork that engages learners and gives teachers

optimum flexibility of design

• Common focus on enquiry rather than content/themes

• Common requirement for locational/place knowledge of the UK

dimension plus one LIC and one NIC

• Common Component 3

• Same distinctive landscapes of the UK: rivers & coasts

Investigating the two specifications further

Similarities

Main differences

Specification A

1. Optional routes allow some

breadth/depth of study

2. Decision making embedded in

some extended questions

3. Overarching concepts

4. TRF plus one other biome

5. Coastal management is an

option

6. Tectonic landscapes & hazards

option

Specification B

1. No optional routes

2. Decision making embedded in

some extended questions PLUS

Component 2

3. Values & attitudes

4. Savanna plus one other biome

5. Coastal management is core

6. No opportunity for tectonics

What’s next?

June

• WJEC is currently in dialogue with the regulator about both draft Eduqas specifications.• Any required amendments are being made

July

• WJEC present a number of ‘launch’ events as well as attending CPD events organised by other bodies such as the GA

Aug

• The regulators will be considering the amendments we have made.

Autumn

• We would hope to gain accreditation for the new specifications in this period. We will update teachers on the progress of our qualifications on the Eduqas website.

Nov

• WJEC present a number of ‘preparing to teach’ events across England

Training Events

Preparing to teach the newEduqas Geography GCSEFull day events:

5th November – Exeter10th November – Manchester11th November – Nottingham12th November – Birmingham16th November – Winchester17th November – London18th November – York

http://www.eduqas.co.uk/training/#preparetoteachcourse

Visit our website to access qualification information and download key documents. eduqas.co.uk/geography

Free Eduqas digital resources to support the teaching and learning of a broad range of subjects.resources.eduqas.co.uk

Resources for Teachers

Free support with potential for centre visits to new centres and consortia visits

New text books published by Hodder are being written by experienced authors and examiners to include Andy Leeder and Bob Digby

Suggested programmes of study (two and three years) and other teacher resources are being written by experienced teachers

Any questions?

Contact GCSE Geography Subject Officer:

Andrew Owen

[email protected]

Follow on Twitter:

@eduqas

Visit the website:

www.eduqas.co.uk