GCSE Geography
Geography asks learners to interpret GIS data, find and judge secondary data, process and present data in graphs and maps, reference their sources, research an issue independently, and submit both NEA units digitally. The spec does not force software use, but spreadsheets and GIS make this work far easier and 40% of the grade is NEA. The biggest thing KS3 should build is confident handling of real data sets in Excel, from collection form to graph to written conclusion.
- Awarding body
- WJEC
- Level
- Level 1 and Level 2
- First taught
- September 2025
- Amount of digital work
- High
- Specification
- Open the specification
How this qualification is assessed
- Unit 1: Our Physical and Human World: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30%
- Unit 2: Developing Fieldwork Skills: Non-examination assessment 7 hours (not including the fieldwork), 25%, set and marked by WJEC
- Unit 3: Our Dynamic and Diverse World: Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes, 30%
- Unit 4: Sustainable Solutions: Non-examination assessment 6 hours (3 hours research, 3 hours tasks), 15%, set by WJEC, marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
Skills that use Online behaviour and online bullying
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Using photographs and other qualitative evidence ethically
Learners select and use qualitative data such as photographs, field sketches and focus group transcripts, and must recognise ethical considerations when investigating people and places.
DCF: Creating digital content, Identity, image and reputation, Online behaviour and online bullying
Getting pupils ready
- Year 7
- Pupils photograph land use around the school on iPads and annotate the images in PowerPoint with labels and arrows.
- Year 8
- Pupils photograph a local street for an environmental quality survey, avoiding identifiable faces and removing location data before sharing on Teams.
- Year 9
- Pupils record a short group interview about a local issue, transcribe it with Word dictation, and present chosen quotes beside annotated photographs.
Show the specification wording and the DCF statements
Where it is in the specification: Unit 2, Section 2.3.2, page 21; Section 2.1.4, page 19
“select and use appropriate qualitative data such as focus group transcripts, field sketches or photographs.”
Progression step 3
I can use a range of software to select, produce and edit a range of multimedia components for a purpose, such as:
- text and images, e.g. format text (bold, underline, italics, highlight); insert and edit text boxes; columns; use refine tools (spellchecker, find and replace); word wrap; crop; alter size and shape; alter images; add effects; trim and split sound and video clips; transitions; onion skin
- presentation, e.g. page orientation; animations; transitions; remove and alter images; use background; use action buttons to create hyperlink; embed objects.
I can think critically about information shared online, e.g. the impact of sharing images and videos, metadata of images and videos.
Progression step 4
I can select and use a variety of appropriate software, tools and techniques to create, modify and combine multimedia components for a range of audiences and purposes, such as:
- text and images, e.g. explore and use effectively image manipulation techniques; explore and use appropriately the many aspects of document layout; use animation, video and audio effects such as echo, tempo, envelope, layering, frame rate, key frames
- presentation, e.g. use design tools; adapt themes and colours to suit the purpose; create master templates.
I can understand that photographs, locations and tags can be tracked and can make informed decisions accordingly.
Progression step 5
I can use a variety of software, tools and techniques to create a professional, individual or collaborative project outcome incorporating a range of multimedia components.
I can apply appropriate strategies to protect the rights, identity, privacy and emotional safety of both myself and others in online communities.
Good to know
- Typing is optional for both NEA units: work may be "handwritten and scanned, or completed digitally" (Section 3.2, pages 37 and 38).
- Unit 1 and Unit 3 are each a "Written examination: 1 hour 30 minutes" (Summary of assessment, page 5), so GIS and graph skills are tested on paper, for example from "a screen shot from a GIS" (Appendix B, page 46).
- Using digital technology "through accessing satellite images and digital maps" is a learning experience that "will not be directly assessed" (page 35).
- Unit 4 research is limited to "a maximum of two sides of A4 notes to be used during the assessment" (page 37), and learners "should not have access to the Resource Pack until the start of the assessment" (page 37).
- The online fieldwork statement is a centre task, not a learner skill: it is "submitted online, signed by the Head of Centre" (page 37).
Links with other qualifications
Data processing and graph work overlaps with Mathematics and Numeracy, and source evaluation and referencing overlap with History.
Source: WJEC GCSE Geography specification, Teaching from 2025, For award from 2027, Version 6, September 2026.