Peter Price Head of Geography, Charterhouse 9 April 2016

1. Cambridge Advanced: post-16 options Peter Monteath Regional Director, UK and Ireland Peter Price Head of Geography, Charterhouse 9 April 2016

2. A level reform in England • The following are being redeveloped for first teaching in September 2015: • English Language and Literature, sciences, art and design, business, computer science, economics, history, sociology, psychology • Subjects for first teaching 2016: • Modern foreign languages, geography, dance, drama, music, P.E. and religious studies • Remainder will be reformed by 2017.

3. Where does Cambridge fit in?

4. Cambridge Primary5 to 11 years old* Cambridge Secondary 111 to 14 years old* Cambridge Secondary 214 to 16 years old* Cambridge Primary Cambridge Primary Checkpoint Cambridge ICT Starters Cambridge Secondary 1 Cambridge Checkpoint Cambridge ICT Starters Cambridge IGCSE Cambridge O Level Cambridge ICE Cambridge Advanced Cambridge Advanced16 to 19 years old* Cambridge International AS and A Level Cambridge Pre-U Cambridge AICE

6. Cambridge International AS and A Level Tens of thousands of learners use it every year to gain places at leading universities worldwide Cambridge International AS and A Level options available Over 55 subjects – specialise or retain breadth. Schools can build an individualised curriculum In UK, offered by independent sector schools only – not Ofqual regulated International A Level, domestic A Level, Pre- U mix is not uncommon.

7. “Cambridge International A Levels are an excellent technicalqualification. They provide really good core knowledge and help tobuild aptitude and they provide a really good bedrock for the move – the transition to university in the first year of study.” Richard Partington, Senior Tutor, Churchill College, University of Cambridge “We think that Cambridge International qualifications are a really good preparation for university study. They allow students to specialise in particular subjects and to develop lots of other skills which are really useful for university study – things like communication skills, research skills and problem-solving skills” Roseanna Cross, Head of Undergraduate Admissions, University of Bristol

8. Assessment Structure

9. Scheme of Assessment (to 2017) • Paper 1 Core Geography (AS Level, 3 hours) • Paper 2 Advanced Physical Options • Paper 3 Advanced Human Options (Each 1 hour 30 minutes, forming A Level with Paper 1) Delivery can be staged or linear.

10. Scheme of assessment from 2018 Up to and including 2017, Papers 1 and 2 are combined

11. All four (three in 2017) components are externally assessed by Cambridge • No coursework • International qualification so compulsory fieldwork would have been difficult to assess. Fieldwork is actively encouraged but not directly assessed in components.

12. What is the content of the Core? Physical Core 1 Hydrology and fluvial geomorphology 2 Atmosphere and weather 3 Rocks and weathering Human Core 1 Population 2 Migration 3 Settlement dynamics

13. Advanced Options at a view (unchanged for 2018) Choose Two Advanced Physical Options from: 1 Tropical environments 2 Coastal environments 3 Hazardous environments 4 Arid and semi-arid environments Choose Two Advanced Human Options from: • Production, location and change • Environmental management • Global interdependence • Economic transition

14. Examination sessions • Two examination sessions • October/November • May/June • After AS Level, full A Level must be completed within 13 months • AS Level can be re-taken or full A Level can be re-taken • No unit re-takes.

15. In Summary • Well-established syllabus • Staged approach of AS contributing to full A Level grade is retained. It can also be taken in a ‘linearly’ • AS moves to a two paper examination in 2018 • November examination series, if required • All components assessed by Cambridge • Support resources – especially past papers

17. 2005/6: The initial steer • Approach from schools • Some discontent with current A Level provision • Issues around modularity: • Retake culture • Grade inflation • Lack of discrimination • Loss of teaching time

18. Advantages of assessment after two years • More time for learning • Time to ‘find voice’ in subjects • Time to make transition into Sixth Form life • Time to link ideas, concepts, themes • Less emphasis on examination culture • Freedom for teachers to build exciting, innovative study programmes

19. Grading D1 Distinction D2 D3 A/B boundary M1 Merit M2 M3 C/D boundary P1 Pass P2 P3 E/U boundary Cambridge Pre-U exists in a defined relationship to A Level It is accessible to all who currently achieve pass at A Level

20. Universities Recognition, offers and destinations

21. Typical offers from selective universities Plus: Recognition and offers from top US universities We encourage schools to contact us early about non-UK applications so that we can liaise with the university. Cambridge - History Standard A Level Offer: A*, A, A Mixed portfolio: D2, A, A Warwick – Chemistry Standard A Level Offer: A, A, B Mixed portfolio: D3, D3, B Nottingham - Geography Standard A Level Offer: A, A, B Pre-U Offer D3, D3, M1 Essex – Mathematics Standard A Level Offer: B, B, B Mixed portfolio: M2, B, B

22. So where does that leave us? • Cambridge – greater stability and continuity. Long established qualifications • Syllabus reviews driven by schools with university input on overarching aims • Offering real choice for decision-makers in schools.

23. Learn more!Getting in touch with Cambridge is easy Email us at info@cie.org.uk or telephone +44 (0) 1223 553554 www.cie.org.uk