Humanities

: Curriculum

The Faculty of Humanities

The Faculty of Humanities is one of the most successful faculties in the school, boasting excellent GCSE and A-Level results. Students from a range of abilities achieve good grades in our Faculty due to our high expectations, engaging lessons and exciting courses.

The Faculty is comprised of four key subject areas:

Geography
History
Religious Studies
Criminology

Our Vision

In addition to building upon our successes in teaching and student achievement, we want to develop partnerships with and within our local community and beyond. We already work closely with Kingston and Surbiton Synagogue, the Institute of Education and Cecily’s Fund. Innovative lessons, challenge and inclusion are the core principles of our team.

Geography

Geography Introduction

"Geography is both science and art" - H.C. Darby, 1962

Geography is the study of the Earth; the landforms, physical processes and human systems. It helps us to understand the amazing world we live in.

Studying Geography is important as it provides us with knowledge of our planet that has helped shape our history and will continue to shape our lives in the future. It is a link with physical and social sciences, helping us to make informed decisions for both our planet and its inhabitants, viewed from different perspectives.

Geographers develop their knowledge of places and environments, as well as their understanding of the diversity of different societies and cultures. This helps them to become responsible global citizens who understand how people and environments interact. If you watch or read the news, you will find that the most important issues facing the world are geography-related, so by studying Geography we are learning about issues that will affect our own lives.

Aims

Encourage awareness of the present through a study of different societies, both in time and place.Help students to develop a geographical knowledge and understanding.Introduce students to geographical enquiry, practical fieldwork and mapping skills (including digital mapping).Encourage students to think critically and to assess evidence.Help students develop a sense of identity through learning about their own lives and our relationship with other places.Develop socially responsible and informed attitudes.

Objectives

Geography at Southborough High School should help students to:
Develop a strong interest in, and help them identify with their own environment and understand the wider world as their place within it.Appreciate the variety of physical and human conditions on the earth’s surface and recognise the interaction between themUnderstand how change can result from physical and human processes.Realise that others may hold different beliefs, attitudes and values to their own which are equally valid.Encourage sensitivity towards others and develop an understanding of an empathy towards the nature of multi-cultural and multi-ethnic societies.Gain a fuller understanding of controversial issues, allowing them the opportunity to make and communicate their own informed judgements.Have respect for their natural and built environment.Build upon existing geographical knowledge, introducing new concepts as appropriate.Acquire a wide range of geographical and other skills.Develop an enquiry approach towards their work, allowing them to extend their intellectual skills through problem solving and fieldwork.Enjoy learning and inquiring about their world.

History

History Introduction

‘Not to know what took place before you were born, is to remain forever a child’ (Cicero)

History is a tool of learning and communication looking at people and their progress over different periods of time. It plays a key part in our understanding of the development of the modern world. The skills students develop through the study of history are applicable to everyday life.

Aims

Encourage awareness of the present through a study of different societies, both in time and place.Appreciate the role of discovery, endeavour and achievement.Develop historical concepts of time, cause and effect.Encourage children to think critically and to assess the evidence.Use a variety of sources to collect information about the past.Develop socially responsible and informed attitudes.

Develop the ability to communicate historical knowledge through oral, written and visual forms using appropriate vocabulary and techniques.
To provide students with opportunities to express their thoughts and opinions about important historical figures and events.

Objectives

To develop an understanding of chronology; an awareness that events, people and changes can be placed within a chronological framework and to enable students to use appropriate historical dates, terms and conventions.
To develop an understanding of the origin, nature and purpose of historical evidence and a recognition that some events, people, situations and changes have been interpreted differently.
To develop a sense of change and continuity; an awareness that the past is different from the present, but that present does retain some aspects of the past.
To develop the ability to describe and explain historical causation and change as well as to analyse the different features of historical situations.
To develop an informed empathic approach to the circumstances, perspectives and points of views of other people of whom we do not naturally have an understanding.
To develop a passion and enjoyment for history as an end in and of itself.

Religious Education

Introduction

Students in all years study Religious Education one lesson each week. As part of a scheme of work students learn about people of different religions, cultures and beliefs. Students look at how belief and faith can affect the way people live their lives. udents are encouraged to think about their own beliefs, how these affect their lives and how they might differ from people of different faiths and cultures. They explore the idea of a diverse society and how each belief deserves respect. A wide variety of activities are experienced in RE lessons to help students express their opinions in different ways. During the four years at Southborough High students experience drama, dance music, art, film, and debate, story-telling and engage with artefacts.

Aims

We aim for students to ask questions about life, beliefs about God, right and wrong and what it is to be human in a safe and open-minded environment. As students learn more about different religions they are encouraged to reflect on their own lives and how they might be similar or different to those of other religions. With this deeper understanding of themselves and the beliefs of others, students should develop a greater sense of identity and belonging; as well as the importance of respecting and understanding others. Combined with the variety of religions and cultures studied this contributes greatly to their spiritual and moral development without promoting any faith.

Criminology

Aims

Psychology

Aims

Exam specifications (Links below)

Subject	GCSE	A-LEVEL / Applied Diploma
Geography	Edexcel GCSE Geography A	AQA A-Level Geography
History	Edexcel GCSE Histroy	Edexcel A-Level History
Religious Studies	AQA GCSE Religious Studies
Criminology		WJEC Applied Diploma Criminology