Curriculum Intent

The study of Humanities aims to instil a sense of British values and will impart knowledge of a shared heritage across the three subject areas, alongside an understanding of the human race and the environment around us. Humanities allows for learners to create a lens to the past, present and future, empowering them to become curious, whilst developing a deeper understanding through questioning.

Key Stage 3 overview

At KS3, Humanities will cover three subject areas; Religious Education, History and Geography. The aim of our key stage 3 curriculum is for students to develop their understanding, questioning and analysing skills. The Humanities curriculum establishes key concepts linking to prior knowledge built during KS2 learning. Students will learn the significance of key events, religions and the environment.  

The History curriculum will cover key events from the past, including the British Empire, Monarchs and links to the wider world with a focus on the key historical concepts of change and continuity, cause and effect, and cause and consequence.

The RE curriculum will cover a variety of religions with a focus on Christianity and Islam. It aims to nurture students understanding of humanity and the various views held by each individual, creating respectful and curious citizens.

The Geography curriculum will cover an investigation of the environment, knowledge of places and people and how human and physical environments are related, along with geographical enquiries.

Key Stage 4 overview

GCSE RE

At St Thomas our GCSE covers a range of philosophical and ethical themes, ensuring a variety of intriguing subject matter to explore.

You will be following the AQA Short course with a focus on the Christianity and Islam religions.  The course will take 2 years to complete.

You will be challenged with questions about belief, values, meaning, purpose and truth, enabling you to develop your own values and attitudes towards religious issues.

You will also gain an appreciation of how religion, philosophy and ethics form the basis of our culture. You will develop analytical and critical thinking skills, leadership and research skills.

There is one examined component for 1hr 45 minutes containing the following:

•          Section A: The study of religions: beliefs and teachings

•          Section B: Thematic studies: religious, philosophical and ethical studies

Section A: you will study the following 2 religions:

Christianity; Key beliefs / Jesus Christ and salvation.

Islam; Key beliefs / Prophethood and Authority

Section B: you will study the following themes:

Theme A: Relationships and families

•          Sex, marriage and divorce

•          Families and gender equality

Theme B: Religion, peace and conflict

•          Religion, violence, terrorism and war

•          Religion and belief in 21st century conflict

GCSE History (Hawthorns Year 11 Only)

This will be the final year of studying GCSE History as the options move to GCSE RE. Students will follow the 2-year AQA GCSE History course which comprises of one period study, one thematic study, one wider world depth study and one British depth study including the historic environment. Throughout key stage 4 we promote an application-based pedagogy culminating in students being fully prepared and confident to undertake their GCSE’s.

Students will be entered into two 2-hour examinations at the end of the 2 years course in Year 11.

Paper 1: Understanding the modern world

Section A: Period Study – America, 1920 – 1973: Opportunity and inequality

Section B: Wider world depth study – Conflict and Tension in Asia, 1950 – 1975

Paper 2: Shaping the nation

Section A: Thematic Study – Britain: Health and the people; c1000 to the present day

Section B: British depth study – Elizabethan England, c1568 – 1603