Curriculum

Curriculum > Humanities

Humanities

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Key Stage 3
Key Stage 4
Key Stage 5

Curriculum Intent and Implementation

Our intention in Humanities is to instil in learners an understanding of the complexity of people's lives, and their connection to the world around them - now, and in the past - via the study of History, Geography, Religious Education, Sociology and Psychology, taught as separate but interconnected subject areas. Our curriculum promotes British Values, such as democracy, the rule of law, liberty, and respect.

And we hope to inspire curiosity in all our students, by exploring diversity, culture, and the processes of change which affect the values, beliefs, and experiences of communities and different groups of people. By highlighting the interrelationships between people and their environment we seek to ensure our learners become responsible, global citizens. And by broadening their understanding of scientific, religious, moral, and spiritual ideas we hope they will develop the self-awareness to think critically and thoughtfully about the world in which they live.

In Humanities, lessons are not viewed as isolated entities, but as a series of interweaved learning experiences. Colleagues in the faculty plan collaboratively; and work hard to encourage the long term retrieval of information by connecting powerful knowledge across topics so that the cognitive demand increases year-on-year. Core language, communication, and mathematical skills are embedded into our teaching and students hone a range of wider skills, such as statistical analysis, evaluation, map-reading, and field work. Our lessons are designed to promote a deep and critical understanding of theoretical perspectives, periods in history, and research methods.

Review our History Curriculum Map, Geography Curriculum Map, Religious Education Curriculum Map, Sociology Curriculum Map, and Psychology Curriculum Map for a detailed overview of the core knowledge and skills covered in Humanities.

Key Stage 3

Our KS3 History curriculum aims to provide the opportunity for students to study a variety of historical periods, issues and debates - providing them with a broad and ambitious skills base. Teaching is organised around six key themes, taught chronologically: movement and settlement; empires; conflict and co-operation; ordinary life; power, democracy, and human rights; and ideas and beliefs. Right from Year 7, we teach students of History how to interpret and judge source materials and evaluate them considering their context.

Geography is a wide-ranging subject at KS3 and the course is intended to introduce students to an extensive number of geographical issues and topics, which relate to both the human and physical worlds. Accordingly, the programme of study in each year at KS3 incorporates a variety of places, and ideas, such as those relating to sustainability, and is planned carefully to ensure the progression of skills, knowledge and understanding.

At KGGS we take RE seriously, following the aims of the Lincolnshire Agreed Syllabus, which states that students should learn about religion and explore human experience. Students study the six major world faiths during their lessons in Year 7 and 8, studying core beliefs and then applying these beliefs to the impact they have on believers' lives and actions in today's society. In Year 9, we begin introducing students to key ideas they will meet in key stage four, such as Religion and Life, to enable all students to achieve a GCSE certification in this subject.

In order to enable students to make informed choices for KS4, a taster project for Sociology is also offered in Yr9, in RE, with the intention of providing students with an introduction to sociological career paths, development of research skills, key terminology, and sociological perspectives.

Key Stage 4

History:

KS4 Historians follow the Edexcel specification and explore topics such as the Weimer republic, Nazi Germany, superpower relations, The Cold War, and medicine through time. The curriculum is designed to actively engage students in the process of historical enquiry to develop them as effective and independent learners, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds. We seek to develop students' knowledge and coherent understanding of key periods and societies in history, building their awareness of how the past has been represented, interpreted, and accorded significance for different reasons and purposes.

Geography:

We study the AQA Syllabus for GCSE Geography. We offer students the opportunity to study aspects of both physical and human geography and their associated processes. Students develop a knowledge and understanding of geographical concepts and appreciate the relevance of these concepts in our changing world. We explore the differences and similarities between people's views of the world, its environments, societies and cultures. We also enable learners to understand the significance of values and attitudes towards the development and resolution of environmental issues. Students apply their learning in Geography to the real world through fieldwork and other out-of-classroom activities.

Religious Education:

In KS4 we follow the Edexcel full course, so that all students secure a full GCSE in this subject. Building on their introduction to this course in Year 9, students continue to develop an understanding of Christianity and explore the impact of beliefs, as well as considering modern ethical issues such as abortion and euthanasia; before moving study of their second religion, Hinduism, building on prior learning from Year 8 to allow a deeper understanding of core Hindu beliefs and what it means to be a Hindu in today's society. Students also consider other important topics, such as crime & deviance and peace & conflict.

Sociology:

In Sociology we follow the WJEC specification, and seek to offer students opportunities to develop a critical awareness of contemporary social processes, drawn from their own experiences and research. Students will come to appreciate theoretical perspectives for examining society and the groups of people in it, studying topics such as sociological methodology, the family, education, stratification & differentiation. If you enjoy debate and discussion, GCSE Sociology is a subject you might like to consider.

For more information about the KS4 Humanities Courses, please see the KGGS KS4 Options Booklet

Key Stage 5

History:

As a student following the A Level course you will have the opportunity to further your interest in the world around you. You will develop an enquiring mind and the ability to weigh up different sources of evidence or arguments. The qualification you will gain is highly regarded by universities and one that demonstrates your ability to be critical and analytical, and to form judgements and express your opinions. We follow the AQA History Specification, at KGGS.

Geography:

As a student following A Level Geography course, you will have the opportunity to study core human and physical geography. In each area of study, you will consider your own values and attitudes in relation to the issues being studied; and support your learning of ideas through the study of specific case studies. We follow the Edexcel Specification, in key stage five, in Geography.

Religious Studies:

Religious Studies helps students to develop their understanding of spiritual, moral, ethical, social, and cultural issues in depth. Religious Ethics develops an understanding of morality, and you will be examining and debating ethical topics from their original development through to their present-day applications. Developments in Christian Theology deepens understanding of the ways in which culture shapes and is shaped by religious belief. And you will be able to explore some of the big questions that Christians face in the modern world. We follow the OCR Specification, in key stage five, in Religious Studies.

Sociology:

A Level Sociology will give you a broad knowledge and understanding of the social processes and social change that affect your everyday life. From the start of the course, you will be encouraged to see the links between the different areas of Sociology, and to develop your own sociological awareness through active engagement with the contemporary social world. The AQA Sociology specification is followed at A Level.

Psychology:

As a student following the A Level course, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge to help explain people's thoughts and behaviour in light of different theories and approaches. You will learn to analyse and evaluate key studies and methodologies, effectively highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. We have chosen to follow the AQA Psychology specification, at KGGS.

For information on Humanities and all A Level courses beginning in September - please see the Sixth Form Admissions page.