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Humanities

What is Humanities?

History is the study of people and events in the past, how they happened, why they happened and how important they were. We study cultures, societies and people that are both vastly different, and inherently similar to ourselves, both on a local and global scale, to equip our students with knowledge and skills that they can take forward into their future lives.

Geography is the study of relationships between physical and human phenomena leading to different geographical patterns on the surface of the earth. Geography is crucial to understanding the modern world around us, not just looking at what happens but delving deeper to understand why this happens allowing our students to make sense of the world around them.

Why do we teach Humanities at Sunnydown?

History

History helps pupils to understand the complexity of people’s lives, the process of change, the diversity of societies and relationships between different groups, as well as their own identity and the challenges of their time. Sunnydown students will ask perceptive questions, think critically, weigh evidence, engage in discussions, and develop perspective and judgment.

Geography

Geographical knowledge, understanding and skills provide the frameworks and approaches that explain how the Earth’s features at different scales are shaped, interconnected and change over time. Sunnydown students will receive a geography education that aims to inspire a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Teaching will equip pupils with knowledge about diverse places, people, resources and natural and human environments, together with a deep understanding of the Earth’s key physical and human processes. As pupils progress, their growing knowledge about the world should help them to deepen their understanding of the interaction between physical and human processes, and of the formation and use of landscapes and environments.

How do we teach Humanities at Sunnydown?

Humanities is taught in key stage 3 (year 7-9) for one hour a week and consists of separate geography and history lessons: topics last between 5-6 lessons each. This works out to be approximately half a term for each topic. In addition to the one hour weekly lessons, pupils also benefit from the Friday curriculum. Examples include trips to museums, OS map reading and visits to places of local historical interest which are linked to the topics being studied at the time. This encourages active learning, co-operation, independence and adds to cultural capital.

KS1 & 2 NATIONAL CURRICULUM - HISTORY