Head of Faculty: Mrs C Maloret
In Key stage 3 students are taught the three Humanities subjects (geography, history and religious studies). Students study history and geography for two hours per week and religious studies hour a week and home learning tasks are usually set half termly.
The vast majority of students pick at least one humanities subject at GCSE, with a large number choosing more than one.
Subject: Geography
Head of Subject: Mrs C Haggan
Vision of Subject
The Geography Department encourage students to be curious and enthusiastic about the ever-changing world we live in. Students are urged to extend their knowledge and understanding of physical and human features in the world by studying a broad range of interesting and stimulating topics. We hope that through this our students continue to have a lifelong ‘conversation’ about the earth as the home of humankind.
KS3
In key stage 3 geography students are taught in sets based on their ability for 2 hours each week. Assessments are completed during each unit of work to track and monitor the progress of students. Feedback is provided to students in terms of the skills they are working towards or have mastered. Targets for further improvement are then shared with students. Home work is set twice a half term.
KS4
Key Stage 4 Geography is a subject that is taught as a GCSE option and is a subject that is counted towards the English Baccalaureate. Students that opt to take Geography in Key Stage 4 have 3 hours a week in mixed ability classes and are working towards one GCSE qualification. They follow the AQA GCSE Geography 8035. They will be awarded a grade 1-9 following their GCSE examinations in the summer of Year 11. Assessments to track progress are set regularly throughout each half term. Feedback is related to GCSE criteria to highlight areas of strength and development throughout the course. Homework is set on a weekly basis.
Throughout their time at Kirkby, students are taught the following key skills:
- Demonstrate knowledge of locations, places, processes, environments and different scales. Demonstrate geographical understanding of concepts and how they are used in relation to places, environments and processes, and the inter-relationships between places, environments and processes.
- Apply knowledge and understanding to interpret, analyse and evaluate geographical information and issues and to make judgements.
- Select, adapt and use a variety of skills and techniques to investigate questions and issues and communicate findings.
Overview of the Geography Curriculum
The topics students cover throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are outlined in the table below:
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 7 | Theme: Settlement and local area
|
Theme: Ecosystems
|
Theme: Places at risk
|
Theme: Places at risk (continued)
Assessment: Antarctica |
Theme: Tourism
|
Theme: Rivers
|
| 8 | Theme : Tectonics
|
Theme: Tectonics continued | Theme: Population
|
Theme: Migration
|
Theme: Globalisation
|
Theme: Coasts
|
| 9 | Theme: Development
|
Theme: Africa
|
Theme: Extreme Weather
|
Theme: Extreme Weather (continued) | Theme: Resources/ ‘What’s the Use’?
|
Theme: Mapping Festivals
|
| 10 | River processes and river management | How ecosystems function | Ecosystems under threat | Global cities
Fieldwork 1 |
Coastal processes and landscapes and coastal management | Water supply and demand
Issue of desertification Fieldwork 2 |
| 11 | Extreme weather patterns and climate change | Changing patterns of retailing and leisure | Distinctive features of UK cities and rural and urban change | Development issues | Revision and exam practise | Revision and exam practise |
Links to GCSE Exam Board Specifications
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035
https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/geography/gcse/geography-8035/introduction
Additional Information
KS3 students have the opportunity to take part in Geography trips, visiting speakers and fieldwork.
Homework support is available for all Geography students.
At KS4, students will take part in fieldwork activity days, to prepare them for paper 3 Geographical applications of the GCSE course
In Y10 and 11, students have the opportunity to attend regular revision classes in preparation for their exam.
Teaching Staff
| Mrs C Haggan | Head of Geography |
| Mrs A Kenny | Assistant Head Teacher |
| Mrs J Wood | Teacher of Geography and Teacher of Travel and Tourism |
| Miss L Crew | Teacher of Geography |
Subject: History
Head of Subject: Mr J Woods
Vision of Subject
Cicero: “Not to know what happened before you were born is to remain a child forever.”
The History Department strives to foster in students an understanding and an enthusiasm for the events, people and ideas of the past. We want to engage and excite students about the key characteristics of the past that have shaped the way we live and think today. We believe that the study of history is paramount to understanding current world politics, economic trends, technological advances, moral choices and environmental issues that we face today. Through this understanding of the past, our students will be better equipped to shape their choices for the future. The study of history allows for students to broaden and develop a wide range of skills. A large emphasis is placed on students developing the ability to determine their own arguments about events and people in the past. They are encouraged to use a wide range of sources and evidence to help them determine their points of view.
KS3
In Key stage 3 assessments are completed every half term to track and monitor the progress of students. Feedback is provided to students in terms of the skills they are working towards or have mastered. Targets for further improvement are then shared with students.
In Key Stage 3, students are taught in sets according to their ability. They receive a diet of two one hour periods per week. Home work is set on a half-termly basis via the class charts system.
KS4
At Key Stage 4 History is a subject that is taught as a GCSE option. Students that opt to take History in Key Stage 4, have 3 hours a week and will work towards a GCSE qualification. They follow the Edexcel GCSE history programme and will complete three end of Year11 examinations on the following topics:
Paper 1: Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000 – present and Whitechapel, c1870 – 1900: crime, policing and the inner city.
Paper 2: Period study: The American West, c1835 – c1895.
Depth study: Early Elizabethan England 1858 – 88.
Paper 3: The USA, 1954 – 75: Conflict at home and abroad.
They will be awarded a grade 1-9 following their GCSE examinations in the summer of Year 11. Assessments to track progress are set regularly throughout each half term. Feedback is related to GCSE criteria to highlight areas of strength and development throughout the course.
Throughout their time at Kirkby, students are taught the following key skills:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the key features and characteristics of the periods studied.
- Explain and analyse historical events and periods studied using second-order historical concepts.
- Analyse, evaluate and use sources (contemporary to the period) to make substantiated judgments, in the context of historical events studied.
- Analyse, evaluate and make substantiated judgments about interpretations (including how and why interpretations may differ) in the context of historical events studied.
Overview of the History Curriculum
The topics students cover throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are outlined in the table below:
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 7 | Theme: What is History?
|
Theme: Conquest
|
Theme: Conquest
|
Theme: Conquest
|
Theme: Everyday life in the past
|
Theme: Everyday life in the past
|
| 8 | Theme: The Tudors & Stuarts
|
Theme: The Tudors & Stuarts
|
Theme: Industrial revolution
|
Theme: Industrial revolution
|
Theme: Victorian England
|
Theme: The Americas
|
| 9 | Theme :International Conflict
|
Theme: International Conflict
|
Theme: Democracy & Dictatorship
|
Theme: Democracy & Dictatorship
|
Theme: GCSE (USA Civil rights)
|
Theme: GCSE (Vietnam)
|
| 10 | ||||||
| 11 |
Links to GCSE Exam Board Specifications
Link to Spec
Long Term KS3 and 4 Scheme of Work
Y7 Themes/Focus
Roman Empire
The Battle of Hastings
Norman England
Medieval England
Y8 Theme/Focus
Tudors & Stuarts
Religious conflict
Political conflict
Industrial Revolution
Industrial entrepreneurs
Industrial towns
Victorian England
The Slave trade
Y9 Theme/Focus
International Conflict
Causes of WW1
World war 1
Democracy and Dictatorship
Causes of WW2
Life in Nazi Germany
Impact of War
(GCSE Trial) USA Civil Rights
(GCSE Trial) Vietnam
Y10 Theme/Focus
Terms 1 & 2 – Paper 1: Crime and Punishment in Britain, c1000 – present and Whitechapel, c1870 – 1900: crime, policing and the inner city.
Term 3
Paper 2: Period study: The American West, c1835 – c1895.
Y11 Theme/ Focus
Term 1
Depth study: Early Elizabethan England 1858 – 88.
Term 2
Paper 3: The USA, 1954 – 75: Conflict at home and abroad.
Term 3
Revision sessions
Additional Information
Open door policy Tuesday to Thursday for student catch up, homework guidance and revision.
Prior to exams Y11 students will be expected to attend weekend and holiday revision/ booster classes.
Teaching Staff
| Mrs J Woods | Head of Subject |
| Mr I Campbell | Teacher of History |
| Mr J Carroll | Teacher of History |
Subject: Religious Studies
Head of Subject: Mrs C Maloret
Vision of Subject
“Do not train children to learning by force and harshness, but direct them to it by what amuses their minds, so that you may be better able to discover with accuracy the peculiar bent of the genius of each.’’ – Plato
The RE Department strives to encourage children to show an interest in diversity and the rituals and beliefs about the world in which we live. We want to engage and excite students about the main world religions, morality and philosophical thinking. We believe that the study of RE is important to developing young people to think critically, act ethically and understand people’s differences through having an open mind and tolerance. Through this understanding of the world around us, our students will be better equipped to shape their choices for the future. The skills learned in RE will allow them to debate, discuss, evaluate and critically analyse. These skills will give young people a voice to be heard.
KS3
In Key stage 3 assessments are completed every half term to track and monitor the progress of students. Feedback is given to students about what they have done well and how they can improve. They are also given a ‘stage’ showing the skills they have mastered which allows them to see how closely they are working towards their flight path.
In Key Stage 3, students are taught in sets according to their ability. They receive one hour per week. Home work is set on a half-termly basis via the class charts system.
KS4
At Key Stage 4 students opt to study Religious Studies. Religious studies students follow Eduqas exam specification component A. They will be awarded a grade 1-9 following their GCSE examinations in the summer of Year 11.
The paper 1(50%) is examining ethical issues in the modern world looking at 4 topics;
- End of Life
- Relationships
- Human Rights
- Good and evil
Paper 2 (25%) examines Christian beliefs and practices.
Paper 3 (25%) examines Islamic beliefs and practices.
Students have 3 one hour lessons per week.
Assessments to track progress are set regularly throughout each half term. With feedback being related to GCSE criteria to highlight areas of strength.
Throughout their time at Kirkby, students are taught the following key skills:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of religion and belief, including:
- beliefs, practices and sources of authority
- influence on individuals, communities and societies
- similarities and differences within and/or between religions and beliefs
- Analyse and evaluate aspects of religion and belief, including their significance and influence
Overview of the Religious Studies Curriculum
The topics students cover throughout Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 are outlined in the table below:
Key stage 3
| Topics studied | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| Half term 1 | Community and founders | Relationships | Rules and laws |
| Half term 2 | Responsibility and commitment | Worship | Human rights |
| Half term 3 | Crime and punishment | Creation | extremism |
| Half term 4 | forgiveness | Life after death | Good and evil |
| Half term 5 | Nature of God | abortion | Prophethood |
| Half term 6 | Festivals and celebrations | Science versus religion | Islam and Christianity beliefs in action |
Key stage 4
| Components | Topic | % of exam | Topics |
| Component 1 | Religious, philosophical and Ethical studies in the modern world | 50% | Issues of Relationships
Issues of Life and Death Issues of Good and Evil Issues of Human Rights |
| Component 2 | Study of Christianity | 25% | Candidates will study the beliefs, teachings and practices of Christianity |
| Component 3 | Study of a World Faith | 25% | Candidates will study the beliefs, teaching and practices of Islam. |
Links to GCSE Exam Board Specifications
Links to GCSE Exam Board Specifications
The specification code for GCSE Religious Studies is Route A3 – including Component 3 Option 3: Islam C120P3
http://www.eduqas.co.uk/qualifications/religious-studies/gcse/
Long term KS3 and 4 Scheme of work
Key stage 3
Year 7- Themes
Community and founders
Responsibility and commitment
Crime and punishment
Forgiveness
Nature of God
Festivals and celebrations
Year 8 Themes
Relationships
Worship
Creation
Life after death
Abortion
Science versus religion
Year 9 Themes
Rules and laws
Human rights
Extremism
Good and evil
Islam and Christianity beliefs in action
Key stage 4
Year 10
Term1 -Beliefs and teachings of Christianity & Islam
Term 2 – End of life
Term 3 –Human rights
Year 11
Term1 – Human relationships
Term 2 –Good and Evil
Term 3 – Re-call and revision
Include details of any extra-curricular activities including:
- ‘drop in’ revision sessions
- Revision packs
- ‘This girl can’ dinnertime club to be set up Jan 2020 to raise aspirations for girls.
Teaching Staff
| Mrs C Maloret | Head of Subject |
| Miss J Smith | Teacher of Religious Studies |