Curriculum – Humanities
Vision
Humanities at Blessed Edward Oldcorne enables all students to gain a wide understanding of the world we live in. We aim to do this by creating a positive environment which fosters a sense of wonder about the world we live in.
Through the study of Geography and History students will develop independent, enquiring minds and use transferable skills to become lifelong learners. They will show a respect for different cultures around the world, both past and present.
Together we will appreciate the moral values that help to hold society together and will learn from the mistakes of the past to help build a better and more sustainable world.
Key Stage 3 History Overview
History in KS3 attempts to cover British and World History for 1000 years from the Middle Ages to the present day. This is done through 5 coherent themes:
Movement, Beliefs, Everyday life, Human Rights, Global
History Curriculum Map
| Year | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | ||||
| Year 7 | Invasion & Settlement Movement Was the Battle of Hastings good for England? Diversity of Britain before 1066 Interpretations of the Battle of Hastings | Medieval Society Everyday life In what ways can Medieval Society be considered unfair? Control after 1066 Medieval village life | Religious Beliefs Beliefs How were the Christian and Islamic worlds different in medieval times? Catholic Life The Islamic Empire | Power & Rights Human Rights Were the 12th & 13th Centuries all about powerful kings? 12th C Kings v.s Queens Magna Carta & Development of Parliament | Foreign Relations Global In what ways was England’s foreign policy successful? Wales and Castles Scottish invasions | ||
| Year 8 | The English Reformation Beliefs In what ways did the Tudors deal with religious division in England? The Break with Rome Mary I & Elizabeth I | The English Civil War Human Rights Was the world really turned upside down in 17th Century England? Individual stories in the Civil War Restoration & Glorious Revolution | The United Kingdom Global How did the Glorious Revolution help to create a United Kingdom? Irish Conquest & Rebellions Scotland & Jacobite Rebellion | The Industrial Revolution Everyday life Did the Industrial Revolution make Britain a better place? Role of Individuals & Factory Conditions Living Conditions in Industrial cities | Resistance & Rebellion Movement In what ways can racial freedom and tolerance be achieved? The Transatlantic Slave Trade Post-war Immigration | ||
| Year 9 | Gender Conflict Everyday life To what extent has gender equality been achieved in the 20th Century? Women’s Rights LGBTQ+ Rights | Global Conflict Global Did the world go to war by ‘accident’ or ‘by choice’ in 1914 and 1939? First World War Second World War | Racial Conflict Movement How far were the Nazis able to make Germany racially pure ? Life in Nazi Germany The Holocaust | Ideological Conflict Human Rights How far was the Cold War a product of ideological differences? Containment of Communism Cuban Missile Crisis & Cold War | Religious Conflict Beliefs How have religious differences caused conflict at home and abroad in the modern world? Partition of India The Troubles in Ireland | ||
Curriculum
The GCSE History course is designed to be challenging as well as holding your interest. History provides a relevant and enjoyable story mixed in with evaluation skills and the ability to present an argument.We follow the AQA History Syllabus.:
25% – USA 1918-1973
25% – Causes & Events of World War One, 1894-1918
25% – Health & People in Britain, c1250-present day
25% – Elizabeth I 1568-1603
Assessment
GCSE History is assessed in two final examinations at the end of Year 11.
Paper 1 – Modern World (WW1 & USA) 2 hours
Paper 2 – Shaping the Nation (Health & Elizabeth) 2 hours
The exam papers are equally weighted and assess the full range of AssessmentYe Objectives
Key Stage 4 History Overview
History Curriculum Map – Layer 2 – The overview of KS4 ( GCSE History AQA 8145)
| Year | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | ||||
| Year 10 | Conflict & Tension 1894- 1918 Paper 1 – Understanding the modern World Wider World Depth Study The Causes of the First World War The First World War : Stalemate Ending the War | Britian Health and the people: c1000 to the present day Paper 2 – Shaping the nation Thematic Study Medicine stands still The beginnings of change A revolution in medicine Modern medicine | Elizabethan England c1568-1603 Paper 2- Shaping the Nation British Depth Study Elizabeth’s Court and Parliament Life in Elizabethan times | ||||
| Year 11 | Elizabethan England c1568-1603 Paper 2- Shaping the Nation British Depth Study Troubles at home & abroad The historic environment of Elizabethan England | America 1920- 1973: Opportunity & inequality Paper 1 – Understanding the Modern World Period Study American people and the “boom” Bust – Americans’ experiences of the Depression and New Deal Post- war America | Exam Preparation & Revision Paper 1 – Understanding the modern world Paper 2 – Shaping the nation. | ||||
Key Stage 3 Geography Overview
| Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
|---|---|---|
| What makes the perfect geographer ? Map, atlas & fieldwork skills | Where does our money go when we spend it ? Globalisation and its impacts | Is our understanding of the world wrong ? Development of countries |
| Is our weather getting more extreme? A look at our weather & climate | Growing cities; a blessing or a curse ? Urbanisation & settlements around the world | Are all tectonic hazards dangerous ? Earthquakes & volcanoes |
| When it rains, it falls; Flooding Formation of rivers and flooding | Why are our coasts cracking ? Problems found in some settlements | Why are rainforests special ? Location, uses & management |
| How many people is too many ? Population around the world | What is happening to our glaciers? Location, formation and tourism | There are no Planet B; Are we getting hotter ? A look at the causes & solutions to climate change |
| Is Africa a misconception? Physical & human geography of the continent | Will we ever run out of resources ? Types of resources ( food, water & energy ) and where they come from | Are we prisoners of geography ? A look at how countries are affected by their climate & landscape |
GCSE Geography
Curriculum
We follow the OCR B (Geography for Enquiring Minds) specification. The course is evenly split between Human and Physical topics, which are:
- Urban Futures
- Resource Reliance
- UK in the 21st Century
- Dynamic Development
- Changing Climate
- Sustaining Ecosystems
- Global Hazards
- Distinctive Landscapes
Assessment
GCSE Geography is assessed in three final examinations at the end of Year 11.
Paper 1 – The Natural World 1 hour 15 mins
Paper 2 – People & Society 1 hour 15 mins
Paper 3 – Geographical Skills 1 hour 30 mins
Paper 1 & 2 are equally weighted and assess the full range of Assessment Objectives. Paper 3 involves unseen material which students must respond to.
Higher education pathways
Humanities subjects give students a well-rounded view of the world. Students who choose GCSE Geography and History can go on to study a variety of different subjects all of which fit into the Humanities umbrella.
- A-Level Classical Civilisation
- A-Level Environmental Science
- A-Level Geography
- A-Level Geology
- A-Level History
- A-Level Law
- A-Level Politics
- A-Level Sociology
- Applied L3 Travel & Tourism
- Extended Certificate in Public Services
- Diploma in Travel & Tourism
Achieving your potential
Head of Department (History)
Mr S Jessop
sj81@blessededward.co.uk
Assistant Head of Department (Geography)
Mrs N Sparey
nsparey@blessededward.co.uk