CHRISTOPHER WHITEHEAD
LANGUAGE COLLEGE AND SIXTH FORM
WELCOME TO CWLC SIXTH FORM!
JANATHAN SURESH | SIXTH FORM STUDENT
I chose geography in order to blend in my heavily mathematical subjects. I felt it would ensure my writing skills are still polished before university. I think the human side is extremely interesting and that the subject can be quite straight forward to understand. I have always felt relaxed during lessons and felt less pressure. This is due to the coursework which accounts for 20% of the course. It is nice knowing that I have completed part of the course before sitting my exams. I believe it has improved my critical thinking and enables me to consider the different stakeholders involved in something; for example in how regeneration projects nearly always fail as everyone is almost never satisfied with the end project. This skill will be transferrable and extremely useful when I go on to study civil engineering. Ultimately, it’s a unique subject for me and as long you’re prepared to put in the hard work, almost anyone can achieve a good geographical understanding (even when it comes to glaciers!).
WHY CHOOSE A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY?
The future we are facing has never been more uncertain and Geography never more important. It is a key factor in shaping what humanity can and cannot do and therefore, we must understand it. By studying Geography, we can begin to make sense of the complex world we live in and use this knowledge to tackle the problems of the future. Through studying Geography A-level, you will learn about some of the Earth’s key physical systems (e.g., the water and carbon cycles), the complex nature of some of Earth’s fastest changing landscapes (e.g., glaciated landscapes), how through human action we can both increase and decrease the risks associated with living in some of Earth’s most hazardous locations (e.g., tectonic landscapes), the social, cultural and political identity of the world, past, present and future and how our interactions are helping to shape an increasingly globalised and interdependent world. To study Geography is to understand your place in the world.
WHY STUDY A-LEVEL GEOGRAPHY AT CWLC?
At CWLC, you will be taught by two subject specialists who are experts in their side of the course (human or physical). Your teachers have a huge passion for their subject and as such keep their subject knowledge up-to-date through their own reading around the content they are teaching you. Beyond your two teachers, you will be joining a supportive department where it is not uncommon for other members of staff to be involved in your A Level journey; we work as a team to ensure we can provide the best support possible.
We follow the Edexcel A Level specification which offers an issues-based approach to studying Geography, enabling you to explore and evaluate contemporary geographical questions and issues such as the consequences of globalisation, responses to hazards, water insecurity and climate change.
Students currently participate in a residential trip to Snowdonia National Park where we collect data for your NEA. This is an excellent opportunity to see Geography in the field and provides you with an excellent basis for your independent investigation.
Our department is well resourced with course textbooks and wider reading material. We also run a book club for A Level students where students meet to discuss a book relevant to their course of study; this a great way to broaden your geographical understanding outside of lesson time.
WHAT COULD YOU DO NEXT?
Geography is a facilitating subject, which means that it is one of the subjects preferred by universities to get on to a range of degree courses. Therefore, if you choose to pursue something other than Geography at university, you’re A Level in Geography will still help you to get there! Beyond Geography, past students have gone on to study Engineering, English, Sports, Maths, Veterinary Science, Business, Media, Architecture, to name just a few. Those that have gone on to study Geography have done this at a variety of universities including Birmingham, Liverpool and Leeds. Students have also had successes in gaining bursaries to study Geography at Aberystwyth. Aside from higher education, we have also had students who have secured apprenticeships, for example with the police.
Geography students have transferable skills, including statistical analysis, geographical information systems, the ability to think synoptically and the ability to produce a large, in depth, non-examined assessment. These skills are valued by employers and universities alike.