The Humanities curriculum is well balanced and meets the needs of all students, with exams at the end of the course.
Geography (GCSE Specification)
Students in GCSE Geography follow the AQA Geography specification. The course is divided into 3 main papers: Living with the Physical Environment (paper 1) worth 35% of the overall GCSE Challenges in the Human Environment (paper 2) worth 35% of the overall GCSE, and Geographical Skills (paper 3) worth 35% of the overall GCSE.
Students develop an ability to gain an understanding of the world around them and how they can impact it on a variety of scales. For example, students look at climate change on a global scale and the impact of litter within Birmingham. During the course students build strengths in application of map reading skills, reading and application of graphs, inference from photos, application of knowledge, using specific case study locational information, written and verbal debates and developing problem solving solutions.
The physical side of the course is found in Paper 1 including “Natural Hazards”. Students learn about the structure of the earth, plate tectonic theory and two contrasting natural disasters (Haiti 2010 and Japanese Tsunami 2011). Not only this, but students look at weather hazards, including those that impact the UK and tropical storms (Tropical Storm Haiyan that hit the Philippians in 2013). “Physical Landscapes in the UK”, includes the processes and features that occur within rivers and along the coast. The students apply their knowledge to two case studies one local (The River Severn) and one further afield (Holderness Coast). Finally, “Living World” is a popular topic within paper 1, where students study Tropical Rainforests and Hot Deserts. Both areas include key characteristics including climate, location, plant and animal adaptations and students explore the opportunities and challenges humans have within these areas.
The first topic in paper 2 “Urban issues and challenges” requires students to investigate Rio De Janeiro (Brazil) and Birmingham. Students will examine the reasons for growth, the opportunities for the cities and the comparative challenges found within cities of that size. A second topic “Economic World” includes the study of a Newly Emerging Economy of Nigeria. Students consider the challenges Nigeria faces to improve in wealth and how Shell Oil are impacting its growth. The topic then moves to the UK and the economic changes the UK has gone through over time including improvements to transport, changes in population and employment structure. Finally, “Resource Management” where students research the issues with food water and energy supply globally and within the UK. Students put their problem-solving skills to the test to develop solutions to food crisis around the world.
Students will be required to undertake a fieldtrip in both a human and physical environment to prepare for their geographical skills exam. This takes place in Weymouth where students will undertake a coastal study and an investigation in Birmingham (supporting their knowledge and understanding of a local area).
The knowledge, attributes and skills students learn in Geography are seen favorably by employers and higher education locations. Geography lends subject specific careers including Cartographer, Climate Change Analyst, Climatologist, Emergency Management Specialist, Geomorphologist, Geospatial analyst, GIS specialist, Hydrologist, Location analyst, Meteorologist, Pollution Analyst, Remote Sensing Analyst, Soil Conservationist, Surveyor, Town planner and Water conservation officer. However, it also lends itself to other careers and is well placed with many other A Levels including, Mathes, English, Science, History, Languages, Art and Design and Engineering.
History (Edexcel)
The GCSE History syllabus enthuses and engages students and staff alike. The GCSE History course provides great variety in the topics that students cover and builds on some of the content that makes up the Year 9 curriculum. Students will learn a lot about British and European history that will help them to understand the modern world. They will also learn how to argue their case effectively, use evidence and question the views of others.
There are a broad range of fascinating topics from very different historical periods that will appeal to all students. The history of medicine from the Black Death to the present day is the focus of one unit, alongside a detailed study of the trenches of World War I and the impact they had on medicine and health. Another period to be covered in detail is that of Elizabethan England, at a time described as the ‘golden age’. Germany, the role of Hitler and the Nazis, forms the basis of another unit, and the final topic covers settlement of the American West and conflict with native American Indians.
This course gives students the opportunity to develop their ability to: Develop their own arguments and ideas, based on evidence. The ability to take a critical view of information and assess where it is from and why it has been published is also a key element to the course. Students’ communication skills are also developed in history, from completing exam answers and essays to presentations and discussions.