Humanities

Here at Heyford Park, the Humanities curriculum provides students with a thorough understanding of the world of the past and present, all while looking forward to the future. Students are inspired to discuss, question and value a range of perspectives in relation to their own cultures, environments and history and that of the wider world. The curriculum intends to engage students at all ages and levels and promotes curiosity, passion and interest by providing learning that is responsive to worldwide events, such as anniversaries, current affairs and significant religious events. The curriculum is diverse, covering a variety of cultural elements, for example, the study of indigenous tribes in The Amazon which is studied at both primary and secondary level. The curriculum is structured, in order for students to build on knowledge, skills and understanding from Early Years through to GCSE. Topics are sequenced to build on prior knowledge, at an age-appropriate level, to ensure mastery.

KS1 and KS2 RE, Geography & history Curriculum

Click here to read the KS1 and KS2 Primary RE curriculum

Click here to read the KS1 and KS2 Primary Geography and History curriculum

KS3 Curriculum

RE

Religious Studies GCSE

Examination Board:

AQA

Assessment:

100% Examination at the end of Year 11.

What will you learn?

The GCSE course is made up of two components -

Component One (50%):

Is the study of the teachings and practices of the following two world religions; Buddhism and Christianity:

Students will be taught that Buddhism and Christianity are two of the diverse religious traditions and beliefs in Great Britain today.  Students will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of both Buddhism and Christianity and their basis in Buddhist and Christian sources of wisdom and authority. They will study scripture and/or sacred texts. Students will study the influence of the beliefs, teachings and practices studied on individuals, communities and societies.  They will also study common and divergent views within Buddhism and Christianity in the way beliefs and teachings are understood and expressed

Component Two (50%):

Is the study of at least four of the following religious, philosophical and ethical studies themes:

• Theme A: Relationships and families - Students will study contrasting beliefs on the role of the family and relationships with a focus on the following three issues with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and one or more other religious traditions: Contraception, Sexual relationships before marriage and Homosexual relationships.
• Theme B: Religion and life - Students will study the origins of the universe, including: religious teachings about the origins of the universe, and different interpretations of these, the relationship between scientific views, such as the Big Bang theory, and religious views.  The value of the world and the duty of human beings to protect it, including religious teaching about stewardship, dominion, responsibility, awe and wonder.  The use and abuse of the environment, including the use of natural resources, pollution. The use and abuse of animals, including: animal experimentation, the use of animals for food. The origins and value of human life: The origins of life, including:  religious teachings about the origins of human life, and different interpretations of these, the relationship between scientific views, such as evolution, and religious views.  The concepts of sanctity of life and the quality of life and beliefs about death and an afterlife, and their impact on beliefs about the value of human life.
• Theme C: The existence of God and revelation – Students will study the philosophical arguments for and against the existence of God, the nature of the divine and revelation.  They will study contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and non-religious beliefs such as atheism and humanism:  Visions, Miracles and nature as general revelation.
• Theme D: Religion, Peace and Conflict – Students will study contrasting beliefs on the following three issues with reference to the main religious tradition in Britain (Christianity) and one or more other religious traditions:  Violence, weapons of mass destruction and Pacifism.
• Theme E: Religion, Crime and Punishment – Students will study, religion, crime and the causes of crime, religion and punishment and will discuss differing religious ideas on: Corporal punishment, the Death penalty and ‘Forgiveness’.

Who is this course for?

Students who choose Religious Studies are often inquisitive people who are interested in the views and ideas of others. They like asking questions and want to understand why people have the views that they do, why different people react to things differently, and why we do not all have the same beliefs about things, both past, present and for the future.

Students also enjoy lively debates and are able to offer opinions on the reasons why people have different views, what those views are, and why even people with the same faith do not agree on things.

Students who choose Religious Studies will like the challenge of putting together well-balanced arguments in extended pieces of writing and accepting the idea that there is not a ‘correct’ view or belief on any topic.

What happens when you finish? (Career Pathway)

Religion is embedded in our daily lives and studying types of religion can help you understand many types of differences that are visible all around you. Studying religion increases your understanding of global complexity and offers an awareness of different attitudes and opinions.  To study religion is to delve into how religion interacts with some of the different attitudes and beliefs of our world and will help to develop a well-balanced and rounded approach to the world around us.

Knowledge of different views and world religious beliefs can be useful in many jobs where you are working with the public or communities. These include counselling and social services, marketing, sales and advertising, catering and hospitality, leisure, sport and tourism, retail sales and customer services, education and training, medicine and nursing, and service sector roles.

The skills that students learn through Religious Studies are varied and help to develop not only a sense of self and confidence in their own views, but also empathy and understanding for the views of those around you.

Geography

You have enjoyed elements of Geography so far in KS3 You enjoy learning about both local and global issues You wish to develop the following skills:

• Communication and report writing
• Team working and decision making
• Leadership and management
• Research and time management
• Problem solving and independent thinking
• Statistical and numerical skills

• Map reading and interpretation

What happens when you finish? (Career Pathway)

Geography allows you to develop a wide range of skills and knowledge and is highly regarded by employers and educational establishments. It is also an excellent choice at this stage of your education as it ties together elements of many other subjects (including Science, Maths, History and English) which will help keep your options open for any future educational or career choices.

Some of the careers that see a geography qualification as being an advantage are:

• Urban planner
• Environmental or coastal engineer
• Volcanologist
• Conservation officer
• National Park officer/ranger
• Architect
• Environmental health
• Estate agent
• Census data analyst Travel Agent
• Meteorologist
• Environmental law
• Military

History

History KS4

GCSE

Examination Board:

Edexcel

Assessment:

100% Examination

What will you learn?

Your GCSE will include the study of the following topics:                                                                                               

Warfare and British society, c1250-present and London and the Second World War, 1939-45. (examined in Y11)

From the knights, archers and infantry of Medieval England to the modern weapons and army of today. How has warfare changed, and what factors and individuals made this possible?   In addition, you will study in depth the issues facing the British government and people during their daily lives in Second World War London, you will look at the impact of the nightly bombing raids on the people of London and the measures they took such as evacuation and ‘Dig for Victory’ in order to keep Britain going during the war, you will also look at government initiatives and use of propaganda as the war progressed.  If you enjoy looking at wars and weaponry as they develop over time, and how societies change due to war, then this is the course for you!

Superpower relations and the Cold War, 1941-1991 (examined in Y11) - In this unit students will study the changing relationship between the USA and the Soviet Union at the end of the Second World War.  They will look at why relations soured between the two superpowers and look at the ways in which these two sides ‘fought’ each other without actually fighting each other.  Finally, they will look at the end of the ‘Cold War’ and the impact that it still has today.

You will see just how close the world came to nuclear war on more than one occasion!

Early Elizabethan England 1558-1588 (examined in Y11) - This British depth study allows students to investigate key features of life during the Early Elizabethan era.  We will study the issues faced by Elizabeth during her reign, how she dealt with unpopularity, religious issues and continuous threats from foreign powers, including the Spanish Armada.  We will also study what life was life for the different groups in society who lived in England during this time.  You will see why it was dangerous to be unemployed and homeless during Elizabeth’s reign.

Weimar and Nazi Germany 1918-1939 (examined in Y11) - This final topic allows students to gain an understanding of the major events that occurred in Germany between the two wars.  We will study the issues faced by the post-war government and the economic, political and social problems that ordinary Germans faced during the 1920s.  We will then look at the rise of the Nazi Party and look at how and why Hitler was able to become a dictator in 1934.  Finally, we will look at what life was like for ordinary Germans during the Nazi regime and what they did to the groups that did not ‘fit’ into the ‘Third Reich’.

Who is this course for?

Students who choose History are often inquisitive people. They like asking questions and want to understand why events happened, what effects people or events had and why our world looks the way it does today.

Students also enjoy lively debates and are able to offer opinions on the significance of events or people.

Students who choose History also often enjoy literacy and like the challenge of putting together well-balanced arguments in extended pieces of writing.

What happens when you finish? (Career Pathway)

History is a wellâ€Âregarded subject by colleges, universities and employers. It is acknowledged as a challenging GCSE and as such, is one of the subjects that the top universities in the UK recommend students study.

Apart from being very interesting, History is also very useful. Employers who see you have a GCSE in History know certain things about you. They will know that you have taken on certain key skills which, learnt through history, can be applied to all sorts of other situations. They know that:

• You are able to gather, read and understand different kinds of information.
• You are able to produce balanced arguments; weigh up the pros and cons of situations.
• You are aware of differing interpretations of key events and can weigh up the strengths and limitations of an argument.
• You are able to communicate clearly and have learned how to express yourself verbally on paper.
• You can understand how people tick, and what motivates them, what they think and feel.

PHSCE