Humanities

Students in year 7 and 8 all follow a curriculum of Integrated Humanities, this covers the subjects of History, Geography, RE, PSE and Citizenship. During Year 9 some students will continue with Humanities and some students will follow courses in separate subjects. The progress of students is tracked using curriculum levels and effort grades.

What we study in Year 7

History

An introduction to History ‘What is History’

A significant society – The influence and legacy of the Romans

Development of Church, State and Society in medieval Britain 1066-1509

Geography

My place in the World – an introduction to geographical thinking and skills.

Hydrology

Using resources

Weather

Extreme climates

Religious Studies

RE & Me

Christianity

The truth is out there

Judaism

PSHCE

Friendships and Bullying

Our justice system

Healthy living

What we study in Year 8 Humanities

History

A local History study

The Development of Church State and Society in 1509 -1745

Development of Political Power and Parliament

Ideas, political power, industry and Empire: Britain 1741-1901

Geography

Coasts

Earning a living – economic geography

Population and migration

Rocks, weathering and soil

Religious Studies

Anne Frank

Islam

Religion, wealth and poverty

Religion and science

PSHCE

A healthy you!

Relationships

Managing your money

Celebrating diversity

Drugs and you!

How does parliament work?

 What we study in Year 9 Humanities

History

Development of  Political Power and Parliament

Challenges for Britain, Europe and the wider world 1901 to the present day

The Black people of America – slavery and civil rights

Geography

Development issues

The growth of Asia

Environmental futures.

East Africa – a land of contrasts

Glaciation

GCSE Religious Studies

Believing in God

Matters of Life and Death

Marriage and Family Life

PSHCE

Your precious rights

Risk taking with your health

Managing your money

During Key Stage 4 students study a variety of core and optional courses at both level 1 and 2. These are chosen to enable a variety of learning styles so that students can personalise their curriculum.

Edexcel History A

What will I learn?

Four fantastic units covering Hitler and Nazi Germany, the Second World War, the Cold War in a nuclear age and the ‘troubles’ in Northern Ireland.

Unit 1 International Relations -The Era of the Cold War 1943–1991

The End of World War II, the widening gulf between the allies and the development of the ‘Iron Curtain’. Berlin – a divided city, Cuba – the world on the brink of nuclear war,  détente and its collapse.  Reagan, Gorbachev and the end of the Cold War.

Unit 2 Modern World Depth Study – Germany 1918–39

Germany after World War -The Weimar Republic 1918–29

Hitler and the rise of the Nazi Party 1919–33

The Nazi dictatorship 1933–39

Nazi domestic policies 1933–39

Unit 3 Modern World Source Enquiry – War and the transformation of British society 1931–51

Impact of the depression – Unemployment, the Jarrow Crusade and the impact of the depression.

Britain at War - The German invasions, British Expeditionary Force, Dunkirk and the reasons for British survival.  The role of Churchill, the Battle of Britain and D-Day. The Allied drive to victory 1944–45.  Arnhem, the Battle of the Bulge and the reasons for Germany’s defeat.

War – The Home Front 1939-45 – The Blitz, the evacuation, V1 and V2 bombs 1944–45, the blackout, air-raid shelters, censorship and propaganda.

Labour in Power - Labour Victory, the Beveridge report, the Welfare state and NHS.

Unit 4 Representations of History – Northern Ireland 1968-99

Divisions in Northern Ireland: Catholic grievances and Protestant fears.  NICRA, paramilitary organisations, the IRA and UVF.  The role of the police, army and government policy.

Good Friday Agreement

How will I be assessed?

3 x 1 hour 15 min exams 75%

Controlled Assessment 25%

What can I do when I have completed the course?

Studying History is great preparation for Further Education Courses and future employment prospects.  History can be studied at A / S level, A level and degree level but it also supports future progress in the full range of course offered by Further Education Colleges.  The rigorous reading, communication and thinking skills involved in learning about History make it very popular with both colleges and employers.  Many successful GCSE History candidates go on to have careers in business, industry, the civil service and public sector, together with professions such as teaching.

GCSE Geography

What will I learn?

You will study a total of three units:

Unit 1: Managing places in the 21st Century.

This unit begins by looking at the coastal environment. It considers why the coastal areas are important, how coastal landforms are made and how the coasts should be managed.

The second part of this unit looks at issues facing our ever growing global cities. We look at why urban areas are expanding and the consequences of this in developed and developing countries. We look at how cities can be improved and made more sustainable.

Unit 2: Hostile world & Investigating the Shrinking World.

We begin this unit by investigating a wide range of hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes, wildfires and tropical storms and how they affect the lives of people. You will learn what causes the hazards and how the risks can be managed.

The second part of the unit looks at the growth of the global tourist industry. It looks at the opportunities, challenges and conflicts tourism can cause.

Unit 4: Local investigation and geographical issues investigation

Design and carrying out fieldwork.

Research a topical geographical issue.

How will I be assessed?

Controlled Assessment: 25%

Local fieldwork project based on the local area, plus a second piece on a geographical issue set by the examination board.

Examinations: 75%

What can I do when I have completed the course?

You can go on to study AS and A2 in Geography, Geology or Economics; BTEC National in Countryside Management or an International Baccalaureate in Environmental Systems and Societies. This course lays the foundation for a range of careers including: Countryside management, meteorology, teaching, social work, law, town planner, transport planner, environmental studies, science and emergency management.

Exam board link: http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-b-9035

Key Stage 4 Personal and Social Development

• Six units of work are studied in key stage 4:
• Cultural Diversity
• Managing Social Relations
• Making the most of Leisure Time
• Healthy Living
• Managing Money
• Preparation for work