Coursework

Coursework is worth 25% of the final GCSE mark and is completed in a controlled time scale under the direct supervision of the teacher.
Students must complete a geographical investigation that is supported by a fieldwork report. The fieldwork report must be no more than 2000 words. It is based on a compulsory fieldwork exercise, the title of which is selected each year from a list sent out by CCEA, the examining body.
The coursework title for 2011 will be ‘A study of how river characteristics change downstream’.
The teacher marks the controlled assessment tasks, and a sample is sent to CCEA for moderation.
Students are assessed on their ability to:
- plan some aspects of work to be carried out in the field
- investigate using geographical skills, including enquiry skills
- collect and record data in the field
- develop a written report to present, analyse and interpret the above data
- draw and justify conclusions, and communicate outcomes appropriately
- evaluate methods of collecting data and suggest improvements to the investigation.
Students carry out the investigation as a group exercise, but each individual must complete a separate report.