Humanities
Key Stage 3
In Humanities for Key Stage 3, students study Geography, History and Religious Studies.
Geography
Key Stage 3 Geography, teaches students about the modern world at both a local and global scale, looking at people and the environment. They also get the opportunity to develop their key geographical skills such as map reading and graph interpretation, all of which will have a particular focus on the geography of the UK. They study topics such as: Tourism, Crime, Kenya and coasts looking at the UK’s social, economic and environmental position amongst the wider world. Students are encouraged to explore topics independently using the internet and classroom books and resources; students can expect to discuss ideas and work collaboratively as well as develop their independent learning skills.
History
History is the study of human activity in the past. In Key Stage 3, students focus on a variety of topics including: William the Conqueror and the Norman Conquest, the Black Death, the Peasants’ Revolt, Victorian Times, Slavery and both WWI and WWII. Students get the opportunity to debate on the topics as well as learn how to structure their arguments and develop their ability to support their own opinions with evidence. Students are encouraged to do independent research as well as tackle interpretations, reliability and bias in historical sources.
Religious Education
Religious Education gives students the opportunity to explore and learn from a range of human beliefs and ideas. In Key Stage 3, students will follow the Essex Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education and will study the beliefs and practices of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Students will be encouraged to develop and explore their own questions in relation to the topics studied. Throughout key stage 3, students will continue to study a diverse range of topics, including a range of religious and secular world views, issues and ideas. The study of Religious Education will help all students to develop an enquiring and questioning mind, as well as examining their own views alongside those of other people.
This work at key stage 3 will equip all students who wish to partake in the Full Course GCSE in year 10.
Key Stage 4
Religious Studies
Edexcel (Specification B)
(GCSE) Examination Board
Overview of the Course
As part of the option curriculum students can pick Religious Studies, achieving a full course GCSE at the end of Year 11. It is an interesting and rewarding subject, regardless of an individual’s belief. It is important that you have an enquiring mind and are prepared to listen and consider alternative viewpoints. You will develop the ability to form your own views and use evidence to support your conclusions. Religious Studies is valued as a subject that enables students to develop a critical and analytical approach to a range of questions. This is hugely beneficial if you wish to go on to study the subject beyond GCSE or to support other post-16 courses.
Course content
Students will study two religions in depth from the major faith traditions represented in the UK, as well as considering other worldviews throughout. Content for the two examination papers is divided into:
Religion and Ethics (Christianity)
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Christian Beliefs
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Marriage and the Family
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Living the Christian Life
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Matters of Life and Death
Religion, Peace and Conflict (Islam)
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Muslim Beliefs
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Crime and Punishment
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Living the Muslim Life
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Peace and Conflict
How you will be assessed
·The course is 100% examined in two written papers which will be graded on a nine point scale: 1 to 9 – where 9 is the best grade.
·The examinations will include short open response questions as well as extended writing questions.
·You will be assessed on your knowledge and understanding, as well as your ability to analyse and evaluate various aspects of belief.
