Humanities
History
STAFF:
Mr A Veysey (Head of Faculty)
Mrs L Goodyear
Mr G Hall
In the History department we hope to bring the world of history alive with courses that are interesting, informative and enjoyable. Pupils are encouraged to be independent learners, to develop their own views on the past and, just as importantly, understand how the issues from the past are often relevant to our lives today. We endeavour to use a wide range of activities to ensure all pupils have access to the work we undertake and are able to show the wide range of skills we know our pupils possess. Above all, the History department hopes to provide pupils with a genuine interest in history!
Resources:
The three specialist History rooms are well resourced with interactive whiteboards and a wide range of textbooks for all topics. As well as this, pupils are encouraged to investigate all aspects of History using ICT facilities in the Humanities Block, the wider school and outside of school.
KEY STAGE 3
During Key Stage 3 pupils study a range of historical subjects as set out in the New National Curriculum. The new curriculum allows us more freedom to investigate our chosen areas of study in greater depth.
- Year 7: England – The Middle Ages 1066-1500, Early Modern England 1500-1750
- Year 8: Industrial Britain 1750 – 1900, Black Peoples of America
- Year 9: The Twentieth Century World
KEY STAGE 4
History is a very successful subject at Emerson Park School, with an average pass rate of 73% over the last seven years. Around 115-120 (of 190) pupils opt for History at GCSE level every year which is very pleasing. In the summer of 2009, 78% of pupils taking GCSE History passed with an A*-C grade. 24% of our pupils passed with an A* or A grade which was a fantastic effort on their part.
There have been recent changes to the GCSE syllabus which, I believe, will help our pupils gain even greater success. The current Year 10, and beyond, will follow the OCR specification J147 and will be examined on:
- Britain 1890 – 1918
- International Relations 1919 – 1939
- America 1914-41
The pupils will also undertake a ‘Historical Enquiry’ which will be completed as a Controlled Assessment. This means that pupils will be able to undertake all their research in class and for homework before completing a written piece of work in exam conditions.
Geography
STAFF:
Mr Veysey (Head of Faculty)
Mr Pike (Head of Department)
Ms. Morris
Through the study of Geography at Emerson Park School, you will have the opportunity to engage with and tackle the dominant issues of our time. You will learn about the real world at a variety of scales and consider the connectedness of our planet. You will show an appreciation of how values and attitudes in different locations shape those places. You will acquire a mental knowledge of geographical facts and be able to apply them during decision-making exercises. You will do all of this using an array of geographical skills.
Clubs and activities:
- Environmental Council (club for years 7 – 11)
- GCSE Geography Success (after school GCSE support)
- Fieldtrips and excursions
Resources
There are two specialist teaching rooms within the Geography Department. All Geography lessons are taught by expert teachers. There is at least one Geography teacher available during break times and lunchtimes to assist students with their geographical studies.
Our facilities include:
- Internet linked computers with geographical software
- Multimedia projectors and Interactive SmartBoards in both rooms
- Educational Films Library with over a 100 DVD’s
- Specialist equipment for measuring weather and other data on fieldtrips
KEY STAGE 3
At Key Stage 3 students are provided with a solid grounding in human and physical geographies. Throughout the Key Stage, emphasis is placed upon the inter-relatedness of the world around the student through the study of relevant case studies.
The Key Stage 3 curriculum is broken down into eighteen individual units of study. Six units are studied during each academic year with a clear link and sense of progression from one to another. Each unit is formally assessed whereupon a National Curriculum level is ascribed which is tracked across the Key Stage.
- In Year 7, students begin the year answering the question ‘what is Geography?’ before undertaking a unit on skills. These skills are employed within the study of weather and climate. Geographical skills are further developed throughout the map skills and settlement units. The year ends with a case study of London.
- In Year 8, students begin by considering issues connected to sustainable development. They study a case study within Italy and learn about river dynamics. There is a focus during the later part of the year on economic activities such as agriculture and tourism.
- In Year 9, students learn about development and tectonic activity and apply this knowledge and understanding through the study of Japan, Brazil and Antarctica.
KEY STAGE 4
During their GCSE studies students build on the skills and understanding they have gained throughout the previous Key Stage. Students follow the WJEC specification B syllabus. This is broken down into three themes of study. Students are assessed via examination (75%) and controlled assessment (25%). Students will undertake independent research and will write-up their ideas under controlled supervision.
RE
Staff:
Miss D Locke (Subject Leader)
Mr A Veysey (Head of Humanities Faculty)
Resources:
Two Specialist rooms providing a pleasant, visually stimulating environment.
Good range of text books, reference materials, artefacts, videos and posters.
RE gives students the opportunity to study and discuss issues that have fascinated and perplexed human beings for centuries. It gives students a range of perspectives on the world, a chance to appreciate other people’s points of view and space to consider their own ideas.
A range of teaching and learning styles are employed from individual learning and research to role play and group work. We use comprehension exercises, imaginative writing, artwork and oral work in our studies giving every child the opportunity to succeed.
KEY STAGE 3
In Key Stage 3 the pupils will study four of the six major world religions in varying degrees of detail and the other two will be touched upon. They will consider the place and influence of religion in the world. They will look at many of the important questions most religions try to answer and they will have the opportunity to express their own views and ideas. Some of the topics studied:
- Judaism, Christianity, Islam - The three major western faiths.
- Hinduism - A contrasting eastern faith
- Beliefs about life after death - People’s responses to the after life
KEY STAGE 4
In Key Stage 4 all pupils are entered for the Short course GCSE RE. At the end of the course there is one short examination and a certificate will be issued by OCR in the normal way, using the same grades as GCSE. It is ½ a GCSE. There is no coursework requirement. The course comprises of several units:
Year 10
- Religion and Medical Ethics
- Religion and Relationships
Year 11
- Religion and Science
- Religion and Equality
The first two topics are studied from the perspective of Christianity, the third from the Jewish perspective and the last from the Muslim perspective. Each unit also gives the candidate the opportunity to consider their own views.