Geography

(Key Stage 3)

The geography curriculum helps pupils to understand the world and their place in it. The course ensures that geographical enquiry and skills are taught when developing knowledge and understanding of places, patterns and processes and evironmental change and sustainable development.
Areas of study include:

Key stage 3 theme Examples of geographical activity:

Pupils will undertake their studies through a variety of teaching and learning styles including:

This course provides a broad and balanced geographical education for all students, yet provides a firm foundation for those who wish to continue with geography to GCSE and beyond.

(GCSE)

This course has been designed by a team of Geographers to help interested students explore and understand the world around them. It is a course for students of all abilities to look at issues and problems which arise when people misuse their environment.
There are five study areas:

GCSE Assessment:

Coursework Portfolio - 20%
Decision Making Exercise - 30%
Final Examination - 50%

This course forms an excellent basis for Geography 'A' level but also provides essential skills for work in the following: Town Planning, Architecture, Army/Navy/Air Force, Geology, Civil Engineering, Teaching, Tourist Industry.

History

At Key Stage 3 pupils develop skills such as inferring from sources of information, evaluating the significance of historical events, and constructing historical narratives based on their knowledge of the past.
Pupils in Year 7 investigate the nature of political power in Ancient Rome; and the changes brought about by the Norman invasion. Year 8 pupils follow enquiries into religious changes in the Tudor period; the significance of Queen Elizabeth I’s reign; and the reasons for slavery, along with its moral implications. In Year 9 pupils deconstruct the myths surrounding Caribbean Pirates and evaluate the cultural impact of the British Empire on our culture today. They also assess the typicality of experiences concerning Twentieth Century conflicts; and the role of protest and speech-making in the development of modern democracy.

At Key Stage 4 pupils follow the SHP programme.
In Year 10 pupils enquire into the American West; investigating reasons for the settlement of the West between the 1840s and 1890s, and the tensions between the US government, Mormons and Native Americans. This depth study is supplemented by a coursework assignment on Law and Order in the American West.
In Year 11 pupils study the development of Crimes and Punishments through the Ages in order to identify and explain patterns of similarities and differences. Pupils are also encouraged to question the perception of crime in past societies and place current issues within this historical context. This is supported by an analysis of Bristol’s role in the slave trade, submitted as coursework.

At Key Stage 5 AS students enquire into the origins of the Nazi Party and Hitler’s role in its journey to power. They also analyse the inclusivity and non-violent nature of the Civil Rights movement in the USA.
Students are encouraged to develop a more independent approach when researching, debating and reaching conclusions upon the decision-making processes involved in the appeasement of Germany by the Allies in the years preceding World War Two.
A2 students discern patterns in the economic fortunes of Russian peasants over a period of 10 years, which is submitted as a coursework assignment. They also analyse the role of the prominent Nazi leaders during World War Two and hypothesize on the origins of the Final Solution. They are encouraged to question Historians’ views on Hitler’s significance in shaping Nazi policy.

Travel & Tourism

(BTEC)

This is an exciting new award that is on offer from Edexcel that is available at Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5. It focuses on the growth of the Travel and Tourism Industry both within the UK and across the rest of the world.

When you take this course you will be practicing many of the skills and much of the knowledge that is expected from those people who work in the Travel and Tourism industries. It is a double Option award and takes up 6 periods of teaching time per week.

What we teach:

There are 3 compulsory units:

And then 3 specialist units that will be chosen from the following list, depending on the specialist skills of your teachers:

Although this is a slightly different type of qualification, it is worth 4 GCSE’s when you complete it. If you are not able to complete all 6 units for some reason, you can still achieve a First Certificate in Travel and Tourism by completing 2 compulsory and one optional units. This Certificate is worth 2 GCSEs.

How will you be assessed?

All the Units are coursework units. They are marked by your teachers and then checked (verified) by someone from the Exam board. This means that there are No Formal Exams. Each Unit is worth the same proportion towards the final mark.

AS and Advanced GCE in Travel and Tourism (Single and Double Awards)

The AQA AS and Advanced GCE in Travel and Tourism is a level 3 course that has been designed to form qualifications which provide knowledge and understanding of this vocational area. They are ideal qualifications for those candidates who want a broad background in the travel and tourism industry which will allow them to progress to further or higher education, training or employment.

 

Students may take either the Single or Double award for one year (Advanced Subsidiary) or two years ( GCE Advanced). The Single Award covers 3 core units each year and the Double Award covers 3 core and 3 optional units each year.

Units are as follows:

	YEAR 1 AS	YEAR 2 A LEVEL
Single and Double Award	Inside Travel and Tourism (Exam)	Travel and Tourism project (Coursework based on planned visit)
	Travel and Tourism - A people Industry (Coursework)	Current Issues in Travel and Tourism (Coursework)
	Travel Destinations (Coursework)	People and Quality (Exam)
Double Award Only	Working in Travel and Tourism (Coursework)	Impacts of Tourism (Exam)
	Marketing in Travel and Tourism (Exam)	Special Interest Holidays (Coursework)
	Overseas Destination Study	Management in Travel and Tourism (Coursework)

HEAD OF HUMANITIES: Mrs D Wood

Philosophy and Ethics
(GCSE)

What is Philosophy and Ethics about?

Philosophy and Ethics is a course which aims to explore some of life’s big issues. Issues such as why are we here, matters of life and death and how do we establish right from wrong. It looks at many world issues and philosophical enquiries from both religious and non religious view points. It is intended to help students identify, investigate and respond to fundamental questions of life raised by religion and human experience, including questions about the meaning and purpose of life.

It is for students who:

Students do not need to have any specific religious beliefs to take this subject.

Course Content:

AQA Syllabus B

The syllabus is divided into two halves:

Section A Thinking about God

Ways of making moral decisions: absolute and relative morality; sources of moral authority; relationship between belief and behaviour.

Module 4: Truth, Spirituality and Contemporary Issues

Section A: Truth and Spirituality

Religious responses to contemporary issues:

Assessment
Students will sit one 1 hour and 45 minute examination for each section of the syllabus - each paper is worth 50% of the marks.

Careers
Philosophy and Ethics is widely accepted as a good academic qualification for all courses of study. In many areas of work, employers look for applicants with a curious mind, understanding and appreciation of other people's view points and the ability to make clear, informed decisions. All of these skills are developed in Philosophy and Ethics. Any career dealing with people or the environment regard it in a favourable light. For example, social services, schools, hospitals, prisons, research, personnel, the police, management, journalism, the travel industry and advertising are just a small sample of careers which fully appreciate the value of Philosophy and Ethics GCSE.

Teacher in charge of RE: Mr G Craw