Humanities - History, Geography, RE

Humanities encompasses Geography, History and RE.   We have an integrated curriculum plan which spans the whole Academy from Year 1 to Year 13.   Each subject is delivered independently in each year, but they are linked together by a common theme, this allows learning to be linked and to show progression as a student moves through the Academy.   We are a dynamic team who achieve high standards of work in all years.   At GCSE and A Level we are amongst the highest achievers in the Academy. 

Geography:   Geography is about people, places, processes and patterns.   It teaches students about their place in the world and their responsibility within it.   Foundation Phase focuses on the local area whilst the Development Phase opens up the environment and the world beyond Britain.   Finally extension Phase considers global issues and our place within an ever changing world.  Students are taken out of their usual learning environment regularly to experience the world that they have been studying first hand.   This is a dynamic and interesting subject with something for everyone. 

History:   History is the study of how and why lives change over time.  Students get a real sense of where they come from and how their lives have benefited from achievements and events in the past.  For example Year 1 will compare life before and after electricity and Year 8 will study medical achievements over the last 800 years.  Students also investigate where things have gone wrong in the past and what can be learned from these events for example, the Great Fire of London in Year 2, French Revolution in Year 7 and warfare and persecution in Year 9.  In addition students study the changing lives of people in other cultures’ and effect this has had on the present.  We have tried to make History a varied experience for our students by providing opportunities for them to learn about the past through seeing, hearing, discussing, feeling and doing as much as through reading and writing.  We use artefacts, costumes and guest speakers to bring subjects alive for the students.  We also make ICT an integral part of study and endeavour to take our students on a variety of trips to help them do that.  

Religious Education: Religious education is offered to every student in the school and actively promotes the values of truth, justice and respect for all and care for the environment.  RE places specific emphasis on: 

■ pupils valuing themselves and others; 

■ the role of family and the community in religious belief and activity; 

■ the celebration of diversity in society through understanding its similarities and differences, and 

■ the sustainable development of the earth. 

RE also recognises the changing nature of society, including changes in religious practice and expression, and the influence of religion in the local, national and global community.  RE enhances a student’s capacity to think coherently and consistently and therefore enables them to evaluate thoughtfully their own and others’ views in a reasoned and informed manner.  It also helps pupils to gain a clear understanding of the significance of religions and beliefs in the world today and learn about the ways different faith communities relate to each other.  We try to bring awareness to our students of a sense of self-worth which helps them to reflect on their uniqueness as human beings, share their feelings and emotions with others and appreciate the importance of forming and maintaining positive relationships.

Other Subjects Offered:  

GCSE Humanities for the top sets in Year 8, completing the course in Year 9, GCSE Law in Year 10 and 11, GCSE Humanities in Years 10 and 11, GCSE Citizenship (Short Course) Year 11, GCSE RE 9 (Short Course) Year 10 and A Level Government and Politics.