Cambridge Pre-U Geography:The Way Forward?

Peter Price & Claire Sladden

Geographical Association Annual Conference and Exhibition

University of Surrey, 16 April 2011

Introducing Peter Price

• HOD Charterhouse • Teaching Pre-U • CGeog• Member GA ISSIG and Post-16/HE Committees

• Pre-16 and post-16 almost entirely linear• Ethos aiming to maximise learning time and

minimise examination disruption• Geography Department traditionally offered OCR

GCE and OCR C GCSE• Pre-16: majority of subjects offer IGCSE• Post-16: majority offer Pre-U (only 3 offer A Level)• From September 2011, Charterhouse will also

offer IB

The Charterhouse Curriculum

Introducing Claire Sladden

• Geographer and assessment specialist

• CGeog, FRGS, FCIEA• Chief Examiner, Pre-U• Principal Examiner, Pre-U

Paper 3 Global Themes

The Avenue, Trinity College, Cambridge, in spring

Aims for this Lecture Plus:

• introduce the Pre-U syllabus • offer some reflections from the points of view of a

teacher and an assessor• provide the opportunity to ask questions and

discuss classroom implications

Introduction

• The Cambridge Pre-U Certificate in GEOGRAPHY is assessed through 4 compulsory components.

• The assessments all take place at the end of the two-year course and a single grade is awarded.

A flexible qualification

• Cambridge Pre-U Certificate– 27 subject syllabuses and core

• Cambridge Pre-U Diploma– Builds on subject strength– Freedom of subject choice– Core components

• Global Perspectives Portfolio • Individual Research Report

Syllabus characteristics• Linearity

– Avoids fragmentation– Reclaims teaching time– No component retakes

• Authentic ‘stretch and challenge’– Informed syllabus development– Genuine synopticity– Greater discrimination at the top end (addition of D1)

Cambridge Pre-U Diploma

PrincipalSubject

PrincipalSubject

PrincipalSubject

Global Perspectives

Independent Research Report

Optional Short Course,Additional Principal Subjects

Global Perspectives and Research

Completely free choice of subjects

Guarantees breadth

Opportunities for greater depth

Stand alone learning pathways

Supporting progression to university

UCAS TariffCambridge Pre-U

Band

Cambridge Pre-U

Grade

Cambridge Pre-U

Principal Subject Tariff

A Level Equivalent

Grade

A Level Equivalent

Tariff

Cambridge Pre-U

GPR

Tariff

Cambridge Pre-U

Short Course

Tariff

Distinction D1 tbc n/a n/a tbc tbc

D2 145 (A*) 140 tbc

D3 130 A 120 126 60

Merit M1 115 112 53

M2 101 98 46

M3 87 84 39

Pass P1 73 70 32

P2 59 56 26

P3 46 E 40 42 20

• That the core concern of the subject is the interaction of people with the environment

• The importance of maintaining a clear and strong physical geography component

• Flexibility, opening up choices for teachers, to reflect the interests and resources of Geography departments

• The introduction of some new topics and of new angles on others

• More opportunities for extended writing (essays)• The need to develop enquiry skills

Principles underlying the Geography syllabus

Assessment Objectives

AO1show knowledge and understanding of the places, concepts, processes and principles of the syllabus content

AO2

select and use appropriate skills and techniques (including the use of fieldwork and information technology) to investigate questions and issues and communicate findings

AO3analyse and evaluate geographical information, issues and viewpoints; apply understanding in unfamiliar contexts; draw conclusions from evidence presented

Syllabus content: 1 Geographical Issues

Section A (choose 2)• Tectonic Hazards• Hazardous Weather• Hydrological Hazards

Section B (choose 2)• The Geography of Crime• Health and Disease• Spatial Inequality and

Poverty

Section C (synoptic; minimal teaching)

• Multiple hazards and issues

Syllabus content: 2 Global Environments

Section A (choose 1)• Arid and Semi-Arid

Environments• Glacial and Periglacial

Environments• Coastal Environments

Section B (choose 1)• Tropical Environments• Temperate Grassland and

Forest Environments• The Atmospheric

Environment

Syllabus content: 3 Global Themes

Section A (choose 1)• Migration and Urban Change• Trade, Debt and Aid• The World of Work

Section B (choose 1)• Energy and Mineral Resources• The Provision of Food• Tourism Spaces

Paper 4 Research Topic

One of three prescribed topics each year for a research investigation involving fieldwork.

For examination in 2011 the topics are:

Microclimates

Environmental Degradation

Deprivation

Topics for 2012–15 have been published.

Programme of study from CharterhouseSequence Physical Human

1 Coastal Environments Spatial Inequality and Poverty

2 The Atmospheric Environment Health and Disease

  Year 12 end of year examinations

3 Climatic Hazards Trade, Debt and Aid

  Year 13 Mocks

4 Hydrological Hazards The Provision of Food

- Paper 4 fieldwork and research throughout 2 & 3 (Microclimates)

5 Revision (extended) Revision (extended)

CIE Support •Essential materials online (syllabus, specimen papers and Teacher Guide)•Past examination material, including interim papers•Small, so personal contacts with CIE (excellent access to Chief Examiner and Product Manager; example of examination dates) and other departments teaching Pre-U •Through the Online Community, administered by one of the PEs• No “tied” textbooks – blessing or curse?

Pre-U: Support

A teacher’s reflections on Pre-U: The Way Forward?

In-built linearity is liberatingAcademic liberation of open-ended content v more prescribed GCE contentChallenging contemporary content (for teachers and pupils)I have read more in 8 months’ preparation for Pre-U than in the past 14 years of A Level teachingBridging the gap to HE?Evolving – get involved in shaping the qualificationBUTLinearity in a modular curriculumResourcing?International board on a learning curve about servicing increased centres in their home countryRecognition (UCAS and beyond?); case of IB

Examiner feedback from first examination in May/June 2010

• Small cohort• Established practices and procedures • Benchmarked against OCR 2009 • Experience of awarding D1 • Archived standards

Further questions?Read Peter’s article in ISSIG “Notes & Queries” and

Post-16/HE Committee newsletter

Go to www.cie.org.uk/cambridgepreu

email international@cie.org.uk making sure that you indicate Pre-U Geography

Product Manager, Pre-U Geography, CIE Tim Kendrick-Jones