Humanities

History and Geography Year 7 and Year 8 (Trees)

Link to Pathways Humanities for Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11 (Hills and Rivers)

Curriculum Intent

History

Our intent is for pupils to have an awareness of aspects of local history, history beyond living memory, ancient history, as well as contributions of significant people. We are fortunate to live in the Black Country, giving pupils the opportunity to understand and value their local heritage.

Geography

Our intention is to develop pupils’ awareness and understanding of local, national and global geography, beyond their existing life experiences. We aim to widen pupils’ horizons of people and places, together with their understanding of different environments -natural and human. To embed and connect learning, we make links to other areas of the curriculum, including experience visits, where appropriate. We wish to develop a love of learning of our world, and a respect for its diversity and fragility. At the heart of our curriculum, is the desire for pupils to be knowledgeable, inquisitive and responsible citizens.

Curriculum Implementation

History

  • Our history is taught through half termly topic lessons in Year 7 and 8.

  • National Curriculum descriptors for Key Stage 1 and 2 are used, at levels suitable for the ability of our pupils.

  • Knowledge Organisers are used, where appropriate, to prepare pupils for new topic facts and vocabulary;

  • We use a range of resources, to support knowledge acquisition;

  • Regular formative teacher assessments support the pace and development of lessons;

  • Summative assessments, which can take various forms, are used to assess pupil understanding, at the end of a topic.

  • We love taking our pupils off-site to contextualise learning, such as local area and further afield visits. We are fortunate to be in the Black Country and West Midlands, and in easy reach of learning opportunities.

  • Take part in drama activities, discussions, debates and to ask critical thinking questions

  • Wider curriculum links to History, such a PSHE( Black History) and RE

  • Pupils participate in celebrations and events marking historical significance

Geography

  • Our Geography is taught through half termly topic lessons in Year 7 and 8, which are carefully planned to ascertain prior knowledge, which can be built upon and maintained, where possible;

  • Our journey starts in Year 7 where we support pupils to locate themselves and local place knowledge, then building on wider geographical learning;

  • National Curriculum descriptors for Key Stage 1 and 2 are used, at levels suitable for the ability of our pupils.

  • Knowledge Organisers are used, where appropriate, to prepare pupils for new topic facts and vocabulary;

  • We use a range of resources, to support knowledge acquisition;

  • Regular formative teacher assessments support the pace and development of lessons;

  • Summative assessments, which can take various forms, are used to assess pupil understanding, at the end of a topic.

  • We love taking our pupils off-site to contextualise learning, such as local area and further afield visits;

  • Language Discovery Days provide opportunities to experiential learning – location, culture, language and food.

Curriculum Impact

History

We want our pupils to have an appreciation of how history has shaped how they live now, as well as significant people, to be proud of their heritage, and develop a sense of identity. Recognising they are witnessing historical events (now) is also key to their development.

Geography

We strive to enhance pupils’ awareness of the wider world, appropriate to their understanding and needs. As well as encourage interest and inquiry with a view to transferring their knowledge into their next stage of learning.