Geography

Applications Open: - Friday 28th November 2025

Applications Close: - Friday 6 February 2026 - Please note - If you do not complete your application fully by the deadline of Friday 6 February 2026, we may not be able to consider it until August when GCSE results are published.

How to Apply:

Internal students - Applications to join our Sixth Form, via Applicaa, can be made via this link Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend (applicaa.com). PLEASE NOTE that you should use an e-mail address that you check regularly as the Applicca system will contact you with updates about your application.

External students - Year 11 Students from other schools applying to Mayfield Grammar School should apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - After sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

If you applied to us before the deadline but have not heard from us for a while please bear with us, we are working through the applications and will get back to you with our decision and advice as soon as we can. We will continue to send messages via Applicaa so please logon from time to time to check if we need some additional information from you

Applications After the deadline

Students who are interested in applying to Mayfield Grammar School for Sixth Form but have missed our application process can contact us once they have their GCSE results in August. After the publication of GCSE examinations results in August we ask that you make an appointment to discuss your application with the Sixth Form team. You need to call 01474 352896 or email admissions@mgsg.kent.sch.uk. Please check you have met our entry criteria for the subjects you want to study and read our Options Booklet under the Sixth Form tab on our website for our general entry criteria. If you meet our criteria, please get in touch, and bring your original documents for GCSE Results Summary and Birth Certificate as ID when you are offered an appointment.

Entry Requirements: -

Entry to the Sixth Form is dependent on demonstrating achievements which show general breadth of ability as well as depth in the specific courses chosen for study in the Sixth Form. For this reason you will need to have achieved all the following:

1. A minimum of 6 GCSEs at Grade 5 and above, preferably on the higher papers, in discrete subjects, with the exception of Combined Science, which counts as two subjects.

2. Grade 5 or above in GCSE English and GCSE Mathematics.

3. To have met the requirements of the individual subjects that you intend to study at A Level/Level 3, which are all, with the exception of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Languages, a minimum of Grade 6 at GCSE on the Higher papers. This is essential.

Essential skills

There is an emphasis on acquiring the skills that will be of value to students in future employment namely to be able to plan, collect and analyse a whole range of information and statistical data, to write in a concise manner and present a balanced argument, making full use of ICT including GIS, PowerPoint and other audio-visual methods. There is also a strong emphasis on linking contemporary issues and ideas through current affairs.

Year 1

The Geography A-level is offered as a linear course, where all external examinations and coursework are undertaken in the second year. Regarding content there are four main areas studied in the first year of A-level: tectonic hazards and management; coastal landscape and change; globalisation; changing places – regenerating places. Each area of study incorporates a range of contemporary case studies drawing on both local, national and global perspectives. These units will be assessed by internal examinations comprising papers that reflect the style and content of the actual A-level papers.

In addition the fieldwork component of the course is undertaken during the first year. This involves a four-day residential visit where data collection and fieldwork techniques are investigated in preparation for the individual coursework, which is a key element of the overall A-level.

Year 2

The second year focuses on the water cycle and water insecurity, the carbon cycle and energy security, superpowers, health, human rights and intervention. There is a strong focus on developing synoptic links between topics.

The examination papers are diverse and represent 80% of the A-Level grade. Some questions will be based on resources that need data analysis and short answers while others will require longer guided essays. In addition, there will be an individual 3,000-4,000 word coursework report (linking back to fieldwork undertaken in Year 1) which contributes 20% of the A-Level grade.

Grade 6 in GCSE Geography.

University requirements

Many universities offer pure Geography or Geography-related courses; some examples include: Earth Sciences/Geology (Oxford) entry requirements = A*AA, Oxford = A*AA, Exeter = AAA - AAB, Durham = AAA-AAB, Edinburgh = AAA-AAB, Cambridge = A*AA (these are Russell Group Universities). Other institutions include: Reading = ABB-BBB, Royal Holloway (London) = ABB-BBC, Canterbury Christ Church = AAA-AAB. University of East Anglia = ABB.

Links to Further Education

International Studies; Earth Science; Geology; Valances; Architecture; Environmental Science; Resource Management; Biological sciences; Cartography; Oceanography; Business Management; Biology and Geography; Education and Geography; Water Management; Environmental Politics

Links to Careers

Town Planning; Civil Servant; Oil Industry; Water Resources; Earth Science; Teacher; Architect; Geologist; Cartographer; Weather forecaster; Agriculture; Landscape gardener