Key Stage 3
In Years 7 to 9, a liberal interpretation of the National Curriculum is followed. The most stimulating and interesting topics are chosen for study. These include current world issues such as natural disasters and global warming, river and coastal processes, patterns of population growth and migration, tundra, desert and savanna ecosystems and their conservation, colonialism, development and globalisation and the importance of the emerging superpowers of India and China.
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GCSE
Currently in Years 10 and 11 the OCR Avery Hill GCSE course is being followed. This involves studying topics within the four major areas of physical, human, environmental and economic geography, together with two coursework units, one based on fieldwork in the Chilterns, and the other an assessment of the changes being brought about in the Lee Valley as a result of the London 2012 Olympics.
In September 2009, when all GCSE courses change, a completely new course will be introduced. This will comprise of four units: Extreme Environments, Consumer Choices, London and Paris, and Current Affairs through Geography.
A Level.
A new AS course started in September 2008. This involves two main units, the first an overall and general introduction the A level (Global Challenges), and includes topics such as natural disasters, migration and globalisation. The second unit, Geographical Investigations, deals with two in-depth studies: Contested Coastlines, and Rebranding Places. The latter is concerned with how towns and rural areas are changing their images and marketing themselves anew. This unit relies upon fieldwork techniques in exploring the subject matter.
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The old A2 course is assessed in a variety of ways, with a general paper (Global Challenge), an extended essay and two examinations based on pre-released materials (Wilderness Environments and a Synoptic paper).
Most years one or more Francis Holland Upper Sixth leavers go on to read either Geography as a single honours degree or in combination with other subjects at top British universities.