March 2024 Geography Subject Update

Updated AS and A level Geography specifications now available

In last month's update we told you about some changes we are making to make to AS and A level Geography specifications more inclusive and accessible for learners from all backgrounds. The updated specifications are now available: 

We will be running a second support event to help you better understand the changes. Two specification reviewers Nona Anderson and Hamda Sheikh both teach the course and will provide you with ideas and resources for delivery of the changes.

Geographical Association Conference 2024

The Pearson Geography team will be at the GA Conference in Manchester again this year which is 4-6th April. Please come and chat to us on Stand 57 and 58 about any of our Geography qualification and resources. We'll be demonstrating ActiveHub which lets you give your GCSE Geography students a tailor-made learning experience, and builds powerful insights into their progress and areas for support via the insights dashboard.  We are also running a session on Friday 5th April at 9am about our A Level specification updates.  

Pearson Edexcel: survey on the use of AI in Geography and History  

We are keen to find out more about how Geography and History teachers and students are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in schools. We'd welcome your thoughts on this important issue, even if you aren't using it or aren’t aware of how it can be used. We've created a short questionnaire to capture your views and we plan to share the results with teachers later this year. It will also help us to ensure we are making the most of any opportunities AI provides in supporting teachers and students.

Embedding Critical Thinking in your KS3 Geography Curriculum (2024)

Developing students' critical thinking skills can help them to become more independent and understand more complex geographical concepts from a range of different perspectives. This course on 03 July 2024 at 16:00-17:30 will introduce you to a number of practical strategies that can be adapted to different topics and year groups. You'll also hear from a Head of Geography who has successfully embedded critical thinking in her KS3 curriculum to improve student outcomes.

2024 Fieldwork Statement

A reminder that a Fieldwork Statement from centres is required again in 2024 to confirm that your geographers have done the compulsory fieldwork for GCSE Geography, AS Geography, A level Geography and International AS Level Geography. No fieldwork statement is required for International GCSE Geography.

Fieldwork Statement Forms can be found on the relevant qualification page under 'Forms and administration' or as an appendix in the relevant specification.

Your Fieldwork Statement must be submitted using the link below:

Reminder on A level Geography Coursework / NEA mark submission via Edexcel Online

Please enter the student marks you awarded to ALL your students on Edexcel Online by 15 May. For each student you should submit the raw mark out of 70.

You should be able to start submitting marks from March 2024 but you won’t be able to view the requested sample until mid-April 2024 (when you log in to Edexcel Online and go to the coursework mark submission screen there will be a tick next to the candidates' names that need to be submitted for moderation).  

Reminder to submit your Coursework / NEA via Learner Work Transfer Portal (LWT) 

Just like last year you will need to submit all A level Geography coursework / NEA samples via the digital Learner Work Transfer portal and there is no hard copy submission of coursework samples in Summer 2024. 

We have created a guidance document for teachers to provide more information and guidance on the process. The document outlines the different ways in which you can submit samples online. It may have implications on how you asj students to submit their coursework ie digitally.

Tip: Remember that you can either annotate the Independent Investigation Mark Sheet (using the comments box) rather than the actual coursework if it helps with end to end digital submission of the coursework (rather than printing and then scanning work). 

On demand A level Coursework Marking Training

Reminder, as some colleagues will be marking the A level Geography Independent Investigation now, about our on demand marking training: