Humanities

There has never been a more important time for students to study geography. From climate change to natural disasters, and from Brexit to social inequality, geography really is the subject for an ever-changing and increasingly complex world.

Geography is about finding patterns in the complexity of the world and we aim to give our students a deep and secure knowledge of geography so that they can start to make sense of the world.

We feel that through geography, our students can contribute to the school community and beyond as becoming global citizens allows students to:

Build their own understanding of world events.
Think about their values and what’s important to them.
Take learning into the real world.
Challenge ignorance and intolerance.
Get involved in their local, national and global communities.
Develop an argument and voice their opinions.
See that they have power to act and influence the world around them.

Experiences

As well as learning about the world, we encourage our students to experience the world around them and get a sense of different places in the world. We do this in the classroom, using a number of resources from pictures and videos through to maps and GIS. However, it is outside of the classroom where students will get to experience fieldwork and gain a much deeper understanding of the world around them.

Fieldwork offers our students the chance to explore first-hand how physical and human processes are changing our world⁶. At Riversides School, we offer opportunities for fieldwork across all key stages. From studying the geography of our local area, to studying large urban areas and visiting physical landscapes, we aim to give our students a broad experience outside as well as inside the classroom.

Where does geography lead?

Geography helps to develop a range of skills including communication, problem solving and IT skills. Geographers handle data, write extended responses and will learn to justify the decisions they make. These are all important transferable skills and this is why employers rate a geography education very highly. Geography is a good foundation subject for careers in media, tourism, resource management, teaching, business and health.

Topics we are studying this year

Key Stage 2

Primary 1

Primary 2

Primary 3

Key Stage 3

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Key Stage 4

Year 10

Year 11

History Curriculum Rationale

Knowledge

All people are living histories, so understanding the linkages between past and present is absolutely fundamental for a good understanding of the human condition. It is not just ‘useful’, it is essential.

Ways of thinking

Historical thought involves highly critical thinking skills. By exploring using the historical ‘lenses’ of significance, similarity and difference, cause and consequence, interpretation and change and continuity children can begin asking questions of the past (Who, What, Where, When, Why, How?) to develop a deeper understanding of the past.

Experiences

Every child will have the opportunity to explore different aspects of history through a domestic or international educational visit. Children will also often have the opportunity to develop the skill of empathy through active learning. For example, developing empathy skills by experiencing the cramped conditions which would occur on the middle passage of a slave trade ship. Children will also frequently have the opportunity to formulate opinions based on evidential knowledge and participate in debates with their peers.

Topics we are studying this year