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Homepage » Curriculum » What we teach » Humanities
Humanities
The subject area of Humanities incorporates both History and Geography.
The study of History provides opportunities for the pupils to experience and, where appropriate, to develop some understanding of events and people of different times and places. It enriches the curriculum by offering the pupils to be actively involved in exploring the world around them. This is achieved through exploring and handling artefacts, visiting museums, stories, books, photos and through practical craft like activities linked to particular topics.
The study of Geography allows the pupils to explore, experience and develop an understanding of such areas as their local environment, e.g. their school, local shops, the weather, jobs, water, maps, directions and exploring the differences between the country and the town. In the senior school it is hoped that in the future pupils will be involved in activities to help them develop greater links with schools in Uganda and Afghanistan.
Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 & Key Stage 2
For the pupils in the Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and for most of the pupils in Key Stage 2, the teaching of Humanities is largely based on an Early Years approach where aspects of History and Geography are incorporated in with the New Curriculum under the broad heading of ‘Knowledge & Understanding’. The rolling programme of topics ensures that all the main themes within the History and Geography elements of the National Curriculum are cover during the four years in key stage 2.
Key Stage 3
In Key Stage 3 Humanities and MFL is taught through Life Skills and Cross Curricular Days. Life Skills is a weekly session that occurs one afternoon each week and classes take part in a rolling programme where they have discreet lessons that include, among other subjects, Humanities and MFL. Cross curricular days occur 5 times over the course of the school year and on these days the whole of Key Stage 3 drops their normal timetable and instead focus on specific themes that enable them to experience subjects like Humanities and MFL at a level that is suitable for them. Cross curricular days this year have included a Country and Food Festival, Christmas around the World, The History of Reading and A Journey down the Thames.
Key Stage 4
In Key Stages 4 Humanities is not taught. However, some aspects of Humanities are linked with Religious Education, e.g. Martin Luther King and American civil rights and Anne Frank in the context of the Holocaust.
Sixth Form
In the 6th Form Humanities is delivered via the “Beliefs and Values” module in the ASDAN Bronze Award and by celebrating a variety of festivals during Food Technology and Art lessons. Throughout the year students will learn about different faiths and their celebrations through a series of specific projects and events.
