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Humanities

Intent statement

The Humanities Department aims to challenge learners to think critically about the world they live in and develop the skills they need to make a positive contribution to their community.

Sam Higgins- Teacher

I have worked at Keyham Lodge since 2014, where I started as the curriculum teaching assistant in PE. Over my time at Keyham I have completed my teacher training and now work between the PE and Humanities departments. I also currently work as part of a teaching and learning team. Throughout my time at Keyham I strive to help our students gain a love for learning and I have really enjoyed seeing the progression our students have made over the time I have been here.

An overview of your offer (KS3 and KS4)

Students at Keyham Lodge School receive weekly humanities lessons, whereby Geography and History are taught on a rotational basis. In Key Stage 4, students will receive 4 lessons a week if humanities is one of their chosen pathways. During the course of their study, they will follow the National Curriculum through a range of creative, well-planned and inspiring activities that encourage progression and enthusiasm for the subject.

Humanities is an inclusive department that is constantly redeveloping to suit the needs of our pupils. At both key stages, appropriate intervention is developed and support packages can be put into place. Our main aim is to create a positive learning environment and encourage students to progress through increased participation, motivation and engagement. Students will have many opportunities to enrich their curriculum during humanities lessons as well as being given the chance to be involved in extracurricular activities.

Students will develop their knowledge of the world around them as well as understand key points throughout history. Our intention is to challenge learners to think critically about the world they live in and develop the skills they need to make a positive contribution to their community.

Students will also have the opportunity to develop their speaking and listening skills through a series of class discussions, speeches and presentations. Humanities lessons will also help students develop reading and writing skills which help within other curriculum areas. ICT is embedded into all work schemes allowing students to be creative and technologically minded.

Assessment in the humanities department will be in the form of presentations, speeches, extended writing and test format. Students have the opportunity for self-assessment as well as peer assessment.

 

KS3 Curriculum

Topics covered in KS3 are designed to equip our students with the necessary knowledge and skills to achieve success at GCSE, but we also aim to develop a true love and enjoyment for the subject throughout KS3. Also, we aim to widen our student’s horizons of the world around them and bridge the gap in cultural capital. Our curriculum goes on a journey that allows our students to build upon knowledge with clearly linked topics that will provide a base at GSCE.

Year 7:

  • Anglo Saxon- Norman Conquest
  • Cultures of the World
  • British Monarchs

Year 8:

  • Major Events of the British Isles
  • Physical features of the World
  • Slavery

Year 9:

  • World Wars
  • Human Geography
  • Development of civil rights and racial relations

KS4 Curriculum

At Key Stage 4 we currently offer both Geography and History as a GCSE. In Geography the AQA exam board is used and students study areas of both physical and physical and human environment as well as the development of the world around them. History uses the OCR exam board where students look at the Cold War, Nazi Germany as well as the transformation of Power and Democracy in Britain. Key Stage 4 students are given the option to study humanities at GCSE level and is not a compulsory subject. Options will also change on a yearly basis, depending on the number of students, their personal preferences and how we can meet their needs according to their future pathways. We also offer health and social care as the main pathway. Students will be given the opportunity to complete numerous qualifications and participate in vocational experiences.

 

Extra- curricular opportunities

  • Warwick Castle trip
  • Guest speakers
  • Museum trips- London Imperial War and National Portrait Gallery
  • Reading challenges
  • Film club (closely related to humanities)
  • Overseas residential
  • Local fieldwork
  • Fieldwork within the UK
  • Battlefield trip (Bosworth)
  • Competitions
  • Seaside trips linked to sea defences
  • Cinema
  • Alton Towers linked to tourism

 

For further information, please contact Sam Higgins.