Geography A Level

With the threat of Climate Change and its impact on all aspects of life there has never been a more important time to study a subject that explains the dynamic interplay of humankind and the natural world. Geography at CAST is based on a balanced framework of physical and human geography and it allows students to investigate the link between the two themes. At CAST we encourage students to develop a problem-solving approach to contemporary geographical challenges so that students are inspired by the immediate relevance of the subject matter and empowered by knowledge that they can make a difference.

We begin Year 12 with Water and the Carbon Cycle. This core unit acts as a foundation for all other topics and is therefore referenced continuously throughout the two-year course.

In the spring term we build on what we have learned by looking at Coastal Systems and Landscapes both in the UK and around the world looking particularly at how they are being impacted by climate change. This provides an ideal time to focus on field study skills that students may choose to adopt in their Independent Investigations.

In the second part of the spring term, we switch to Human Geography and study Contemporary Urban Environments examining the changing patterns of urbanisation, the growth of megacities, the impacts of multiculturalism and urban environmental issues amongst other topics. Some of the cities studied are Shanghai, Los Angeles, Bengaluru, London, Rio and Manila.

In the second part of the summer term, we build on our knowledge of Urban Geography by examining people’s sense of belonging in Changing Places where we will hone in on Roald Dahl’s Great Missenden in the UK, and Eminem’s Detroit in the US.

During the summer of Y12 students will research, plan, and carry out their own Independent Investigation based on one of the topics that they have found interesting. They will use fieldwork techniques to gather raw data to test a hypothesis that they have agreed with their teacher. The final report should be between 3000-4000 words and be presented according to academic conventions. It will be internally assessed and externally moderated.

In the autumn term of Y13 we begin another core topic of Global Systems and Governance. This is a substantial topic covering amongst other things, International Trade, Global Food Systems and protecting the Global Commons where we examine the threats to Antarctica. In the spring term we examine Ecosystems Under Stress where we revisit the causes and consequences of the destruction of Tropical Rainforests, the impacts of climate change on Savanna Grasslands, threats to Marine Ecosystems and the growth of Urban Wasteland Ecosystems. For this part of the course our UK case studies will be Exmoor National Park and Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire.

Component 1: 1x2 hour 30 minute exam (Physical Geography)

Component 2: 1x2 hour 30 minute exam (Human Geography)

Component 3: Geographical Investigation

Minimum entry requirements for A level courses: 7 GCSEs at grade 9-4 (including English grade 4) with double or triple science (grade 6/6) and Maths (grade 5).

Students graduating from Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology will be exceptionally well prepared to progress into higher education, work or an apprenticeship, ready to build careers that contribute to the Cambridge success story.

University

Graduating from Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology will give you a head start when it comes to choosing a university. Employers are seeking specialist science staff in all areas, and a degree will help take your career to the next level.

Apprenticeships

Our employer partners are highly supportive of apprenticeships, and offer opportunities to our students. Apprentices are paid while they train, attending college one day a week and learning hands-on in the workplace as they gain valuable qualifications. They also offer an alternative route to higher education.

Employment

The Cambridge area is full of highly successful employers ready to take on new staff who leave Cambridge Academy for Science and Technology with an impressive range of specialist qualifications – ready to go straight into the workplace and develop their careers.

More specifically, Geography opens doors to many careers and courses which can include areas such as teaching, town planning, land management, aid work and development, research, journalism, meteorology, air traffic control and aviation amongst others.