Humanities is designed to combine elements from History, Geography, and Religious Education, whilst maximising opportunities to develop other valuable cross-curricular skills. It allows them to be taught in such a way that links and connections are evident, thereby enabling pupils to develop a more rounded understanding of the world we live in, but also promoting a more interdisciplinary approach both amongst staff and pupils alike. Careful attention is paid to ensure that all requirements of the National Curriculum are adhered to.

Pupils in Year 5 are usually taught by their form tutors, and as they move up into Year 6 greater focus is placed on developing links between the Humanities curriculum and literacy skills. All three Humanities subjects are investigated throughout both years, placing them in good stead for more specialist teaching at KS3.

The Religious Education focus of the Humanities curriculum is to help children to acquire and develop knowledge and understanding of the principal religions in the world today; to appreciate the way that religious beliefs shape life and behaviour and to develop the ability to make reasoned and informed judgements about religious and moral issues and enhance their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.

We wish to inspire students’ geographical curiosity and interest to explore the world and
its people and to further develop a love of learning. We intend to equip students with geographical skills to develop their knowledge through studying places, people and natural and human environments. We hope to deepen their understanding of the Earth’s human and physical forms and processes.

The Geography focus of Humanities is an investigative subject. Through our teaching, we wish to provoke thought, questions and to encourage students to discover answers to their own questions through exploration and research to enable them to gain a greater understanding and knowledge of the world and their place in it.

To ensure that pupils develop a secure knowledge that they can build on, the History focus of our Humanities curriculum is organised into themes where aspects of all three subjects can be taught. Meaningful links with Geography and Religious Education are made to strengthen connections and understanding for pupils. The History topics taught have been developed to help children appreciate their own identity and the challenges in their time. It will help them understand the process of change over time and any significant developments that have taken place.

Curriculum Overview

Learning Questions