Taking an impartial view, I have been collecting evidence to help geography teachers think about the GCSE draft specifications new for September 2016 and examination in May 2018. (Although for some schools starting GCSE in Year 9 there is an immediate impact.)
Updated 22 April 2015.
OCR GCSE Geography A Geographical Themes
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-geography-a-geographical-themes-j383-from-2016/
OCR GCSE Geography B Geography for Enquiring Minds
http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse-geography-b-geography-for-enquiring-minds-j384-from-2016/
Edexcel GCSE Geography A Themes (Hedgehog)
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-2016.html
Edexcel GCSE Geography B Issues (Polar Bear)
http://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/geography-2016.html#tab-1
AQA GCSE Geography
http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035
Eduquas
http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/geography/gcse/index.html
A (PDF): http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/geography/gcse/wjec-eduqas-gcse-geography-a-specification.pdf
B (PDF): http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/geography/gcse/wjec-eduqas-gcse-geography-b-specification.pdf
Note: The content requirements for the qualifications are available on DfE’s website.
All new GCSE Geography qualifications, from each Awarding Organisation, will incorporate some significant changes:
- papers will be un-tiered rather than tiered
- there will be no controlled assessment
- fieldwork will be assessed through a written examination
What they say…
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CPD
New GCSE Geography: Key changes and challenges, 23 June 2015 London
http://www.geography.org.uk/cpdevents/gacpdcourses/newgcsegeography/
What we say…
A one-page comparison on content by Graeme Eyre
http://geyre.co.uk/2015/04/14/comparison-of-the-new-draft-gcse-syllabuses/
A different take on the comparison from Boswells, Chelmsford with two tables by Lucy Rawe
http://www.yourgeography.com/the-blography/-gcse-geography-2016-the-specifications-compared
This post refers to consultation with pupils. Would anyone like to share any materials used for that purpose?
SLN Geography Forum
http://learningnet.co.uk/geoforum/index.php?topic=9479.msg41918
@GCeyre I know it creates a challenge whether to go for the best / or the one that requires the least amount of work.
@atko73 worth waiting for A level specs before deciding, to put together a coherent progression from one to the other.
@Liz_Smith little time for me to wait as our 3 year GCSE begins in July. Although I know OCR were considering careful continuity …but OCR draft GCSE spec has little detail about actual content to deliver in comparison to AQA. I need detail!
I think will stick with OCR, not sure on whether to go for A spec or B yet though. I don’t like the lack of control that I currently have with preparing students for a DME as I find it a gamble, so not sure.
@TeacherGeog Thinking Edexcel B. How about you?
@GeoBlogs co-writing books for OCR A and B…
@GeographyMrI I’m thinking AQA myself.
@dukkhaboy early thoughts lean me to OCR we are AQA A atm. New AQA is very content heavy. But I don’t know yet. Cost of text books might influence it bearing in mind the possible 12% cuts coming!
@paulsturtivant @tonycassidy I think am going to do the Eduqas A spec, too.
The thread ‘New specs’ on SLN Geography Forum has been read over 3,000 times:
http://learningnet.co.uk/geoforum/index.php?topic=9685.0
Do let me know what you may do and why.
I am also interested in capturing a sense of the previous and anticipated quality of support from the different AOs – and I appreciate that you may prefer that to be shared anonymously. I am not, nor have previously been, employed by an AO or OfQual.
Email contact here >
One reply on “Draft Examination Specifications”
Very useful Angus, well done.