The Humanities Department is committed to ensuring that all our pupils make steadfast progress in History, Geography, RVE and PSE through the experience of excellent teaching which engages, inspires and motivates them. All learners will have the opportunity to continue studying Humanities subjects to GCSE and A-Level; they will become capable learners, a skill which will help them throughout their lives. The Humanities Department wishes to nurture a sense of cynefin in our learners. This is the place where our learners feel they belong, where the people and landscape around them are familiar and the sights and sounds are reassuringly recognisable. Cynefin is not just a place in a physical or geographical sense: it is the historic, cultural and social place which has shaped and continues to shape the community our learners reside in. In tandem, we aim to nurture a curiosity about Wales and the wider world, sending our learners out to be valued members of society, global citizens in the multicultural and diverse world of the 21st century.
The Humanities Department plays an important role in readying our learners for adult life. It consists of five disciplinary areas:
Geography, History and Religion, Values and Ethics sit within the Humanities Area of Learning and Experience, whilst Personal and Social Education sits across the Humanities AoLE and the Health and Wellbeing AoLE as this discipline is both an area of social study and a medium for developing the knowledge and understanding of our learners in terms of their physical development, mental health, emotional and social well-being.
Dr Sian James (SEJ)
Head of Humanities, Teacher i/c WBQ and Skills Challenge Certificate, Teacher of Humanities (Humanities specialist)
Mrs Jane Jarvis (JJ)
Teacher of Geography, Teacher of the Tourism Diploma, Sustainable Development Coordinator
Mr Adam Campion (AC)
Teacher of Geography, Assistant Headteacher
Mr Nick Rees (NR)
Teacher of History
Mr Colin McKibben (CM)
Teacher of History, Teacher of WBQ, and Skills Challenge Certificate
Mr Richard Dennis (RD)
Teacher i/c RVE / Religious Studies, Teacher of RVE / Religious Studies, Teacher of WBQ and Skills Challenge Certificate
Mrs Rebecca Greenow (RG)
Teacher of Humanities, (History specialist)
Miss Catrin Owen (CMO)
Teacher of Humanities, Teacher of the Tourism Diploma (Geography specialist)
Miss Maria Senior (MLS)
Teacher of Humanities,
Year 7
Within the Humanities AoLE we have chosen nine overarching concepts through which we will deliver our curriculum as discrete, but interlinked disciplines. Together they contribute to realising the four purposes of the Curriculum for Wales.
Humanities @YBE Overarching Concepts:
Cynefin / Conflict / Change and Continuity / Development / Inequality / Journeys / The elements / People Power / Material World.
We have designed a curriculum where cross-curricular skills, integral skills and cross-cutting themes will be delivered seamlessly through our lessons helping our learners to develop the skills necessary to interpret and articulate the past and the present whilst imagining possible futures. Year 7 Geography topics include Cynefin and Connections, Weather, Climate and Climate Change and Sustainable Development. Year 7 History topics include Conquest and Cynefin, Medieval Life in Britain and Explorers. Year 7 RVE topics include Cynefin, Christianity Past, Present and Future and The Path to Enlightenment. Year 7 PSE topics include Safe Relationships, Anti-Bullying Awareness, Online Safety and Healthy Lifestyles.
Year 8 and 9
With an eye on the future, our Year 8 and 9 Humanities curriculum is currently being re-designed in line with the new Curriculum for Wales. KS3 Geography topics include Italy, Natural Hazards, Industry, India, Fluvial Environments and ‘Where do people live?’ KS3 History topics include The Tudors, The Stuarts, The Industrial Revolution, The British Empire, Slavery, The Great War and World War 2. KS3 RVE topics include Religious Buildings, Religious Festivals, Sacred Texts, Medical Ethics, Inequality, Stewardship and Religious Ceremonies. KS3 PSE topics include Multicultural Britain, The Criminal Justice System, Living in a Democracy, Consumer Rights, Looking After Our Money, Careers, Substance Misuse and Mental Health.
Our KS3 Humanities curriculum aims to help learners appreciate the extent to which they are part of a wider international community, fostering a sense of belonging that we hope will encourage them to contribute positively to their communities both now and in the future. We hope to contribute to the development of healthy, confident individuals, ready to lead fulfilling lives both in the workplace and as valued members of society.
NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Equality and Diversity
At KS4 this qualification is delivered alongside Religious Education (RE) which is a mandatory part of the curriculum for all learners at a school. Learners will be encouraged to recognise the different cultures and beliefs that exist today in local, national and global contexts. Topics that learners study will also cover moral, ethical and philosophical concepts and issues.
The NCFE qualification introduces the concepts of equality and diversity in a variety of environments including society, the community and the workplace. It highlights how stereotyping and labelling can affect individuals. The effects of prejudice and discrimination will be investigated, allowing the learner to examine rights and responsibilities, the importance of taking individual responsibility and action to help and support others.
Over two years, learners will complete three units: Unit 1 - Equality and diversity in society, Unit 2 - Equality and diversity in the community and Unit 3 - Equality and diversity in the workplace. These units are all coursework based.
Religious Studies GCE AS/A Level
This course is designed to enable learners to develop their interest in, and enthusiasm for, a study of religion and its place in the wider world. Learners will develop an understanding and appreciation of religious thought and its contribution to individuals, communities and societies. Skills development will focus on adopting an enquiring, critical and reflective approach to the study of religion and an ability to reflect on and develop values, opinions and attitudes in light of this study.
The AS course is split into two units. Unit 1: An Introduction to the Study of Religion, provides learners with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth and broad study of four fundamental religious themes within a selected world religion: religious figures and sacred texts, religious concepts, religious life and religious practices that shape religious identity. Unit 2: An Introduction to Religion and Ethics and the Philosophy of Religion, provides learners with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth and broad study of four fundamental ethical themes: ethical thought, Aquinas' Natural Law, Fletcher's Situation Ethics and Utilitarianism.
The A2 course is split into three units. Unit 3 builds on the learning from Unit 1 with a detailed focus on a selected world religion. Unit 4 focuses on ethical thought, deontological ethics, determinism and freewill and Unit 5: Philosophy of Religion provides learners with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth and broad study of challenges to religious belief, religious experience and religious language.
Careers and Opportunities
Studying any humanities subject(s) at GCSE, GCE AS/A Level or Diploma level will provide a suitable foundation for the study of a humanities subject or related area through a range of higher education courses. Equally, these disciplines share many transferable skills, preparing our learners for the world of work or apprenticeships. Examples of career paths may include the law, geosciences, sales, environmental protection, information technology, management, finance, banking, marketing, research, teaching, engineering and building, arts, design and media and town planning.
Useful Websites
Humanities: Introduction - Hwb (gov.wales)
AS/A Level Geography (wjec.co.uk)
AS/A Level History (wjec.co.uk)
