Humanities

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Geography Curriculum Intent

“Geography should inspire students to be fascinated about the world and its people.

We will equip students 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 and the interactions that exist between them. ”

History Curriculum Intent

“To enable pupils to become independent confident learners by applying a wide range of key historical skills. ”

For more details about the humanities curriculum, please email  vicki.dooley@macclesfieldacademy.org

 We are a forward-thinking and enthusiastic department that incorporates a number of different curriculum subject areas. We believe that the Humanities are at the forefront of an ever-changing world and have a huge responsibility in preparing young people for life after school.

Department Aims

  • Provide challenging and enjoyable experiences for all pupils
  • Recognise that people’s lives are influenced by beliefs, aspirations, values, their environment and the actions of themselves and others
  • Promote an interest in other people, encourage empathy and respect for their values and ways of life
  • Promote an understanding of the social and environmental processes that have shaped the world in which we live
  • Emphasise the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations
  • Foster personal qualities such as curiosity, open-mindedness, co-operation, concern for others, critical decision making and responsibility
  • Develop a range of skills and competencies through enquiry approaches, fieldwork investigations and other practical activities.

GCSE Geography

We follow the AQA Geography Specification.

Examination: there are three exams. Each exam will have a range of questions from multiple choice to extended answers. Geographical skills will be examined across all 3 papers.

Paper 1: Living with the physical environment (35%), 1 hour 30 minutes

In this unit students will be studying the challenges of natural hazards, the living world and coastal and river landscapes in the UK.

Paper 2: Challenges in the human environment (35%), 1 hour 30 minutes

In this unit students will be studying urban issues & challenges, the changing economic world and food and water resource management.

Paper 3: Geographical applications (30%), 1 hour 30 minutes

Paper 3 involves synoptic questions about an issue that will also link to parts of the core specification. A pre-release booklet will be issued which students will familiarise themselves with before the exam.

Fieldwork skills will also be assessed on paper 3 through unfamiliar contexts and relating to the fieldtrip (s) we will go on over the course of the year.

GCSE History

We follow the AQA History Specification (8145)

Examination: there are two exam papers each accounting for 50% of the marks.

Paper One: Understanding the Modern World
Section A:  Period Study Germany 1890-1945 Democracy and Dictatorship
This period study focuses on events in Germany which saw the transition from a democratic government to the emergence of the Nazi dictatorship in the early 1930s.
Section B: Wider World Depth Study “Conflict and Tension 1894-1918”
This wider world depth study enables students to understand the complex and diverse interests of the Great Powers and other states. It focuses on the causes, nature and conclusion of the First World War and seeks to show how and why conflict occurred, and why it proved difficult to bring the war to a conclusion.

Paper Two: Shaping the Nation
Section A: Thematic Study “Britain Health and the People c1000-present day”
This thematic study will enable students to gain an understanding of how medicine and public health developed in Britain over a long period of time.
Section B: British Depth Studies including the historic environment.

Elizabethan England c.1568 - 1603  The Historical Environment changes annually. 

 

History Reading List

 

GCSE Religious Studies

We follow the AQA Religious Studies A Specification.

Examination: there are two examinations for this specification.

Unit 1: The study of religions: beliefs, teachings and practises (50%), 1 hour 45 minutes exam

In this unit students will study Christianity and Buddhism.

Unit 2: Thematic studies (50%), 1 hour 45 minutes exam

In this unit students will study four religious, philosophical and ethical themes such as war and peace, crime and punishment and religion and life.

Extra-Curricular

Revision sessions at KS4 are timetabled before/ after school and during lunch at appropriate times.

 

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