Humanities Curriculum Intent Statements

History Curriculum Intent Statement

To understand the world in which we live all students need to gain an understanding of the past. Students will only fully understand the complexity of modern life by studying the key events of the past. By studying history we should enable students to ask perceptive questions about changes in society, the reasons for conflict and the consequences of decisions. Students should be encouraged to think critically and come to judgements based on evidence.

Aims

. To have an understanding of chronology. To understand the development of the UK and to see how the UK has been influenced by and shaped the wider world.

. To find out about major events and developments by looking at the experience of individuals. To see history as a study of individual lives and not just a study of global events. By looking at the experience of soldiers in the Great War through looking at the life of Harry Patch and by looking at the Holocaust by talking about Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines and her rescue by Sir Nicholas Winton in the Kindertransport gives a real understanding of momentous events.

. To gain an understanding of concepts such as “Empire”, “Parliament” and “Democracy”

.To understand key concepts such as continuity and change, similarity, difference and consequence.

.To understand the process of analysing information and evidence. To understand the reasons for different historical interpretations.

. To develop a love for this subject. History is all about an understanding of how people lived their lives. Students should find this subject endlessly fascinating as it is all about people.

. Much of the work we do in the History department fits in perfectly with our Rights Respecting School Agenda. Article 14 on freedom of religious thought fits in with our work on the Holocaust and life in Nazi Germany. Article 38 on protection and freedom from War fits in with our work on both the First and Second World Wars. Our links with Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines allows us to talk about Article 22 with its special help and protection for refugees. Work on dictatorship and democracy also allows us to discuss the freedom to express opinions and to have opportunities to peacefully protest.

Geography Curriculum Intent Statement

‘Geography prepares young people with the knowledge, skills and understanding to make sense of their world and to face the challenges that will shape our societies and environments at the local, national and global scales’.

• Dr Rita Gardner, Director, RGS-IBG quoted in A Different View (GA, 2009)

As a RRS school, geography as a discipline provides many opportunities to develop an individuals’ respect for the world around them while also aiming to help them become positive global citizens. The subject provides students with the knowledge of where places and landscapes are formed, how people and the environment are connected and future issues that young people will have to be prepared for. It builds on students’ own experiences investigating at local and global levels.

At Clyst Vale, we aim to introduce students to places around the world while allowing questioning of theories. As a result of this we look at increasing their cultural capital beyond the city of Exeter to appreciate different cultures, societies and physical settings. Students are prepared for life beyond GCSE / A level with the development of multi curricular skills including problem solving, argument formation and statistical analysis. The curriculum is designed to offer all students access to fundamental skills of geography including, but not limited to, identifying places in the world, describing features and explaining processes. We also stretch students to think beyond theories allowing them to become inquisitive and draw complex links between multiple ideas. Fieldwork is an essential part of Geography allowing students to formulate their own investigations taking ownership of data and analysis through new technologies. Geography inspires pupils to explore their own place in the world, their values and their responsibilities to other people and the environment.

Beliefs and Values Curriculum Intent Statement

The main objective of our department is to provide challenging, varied and enriching lessons that effectively prepare our pupils for life in a culturally diverse modern world. Our department aims to promote an awareness of the usefulness of Beliefs and Values to everyday living, to encourage enthusiasm for interest in the study of other people’s beliefs and to promote mutual respect, tolerance and understanding across different cultures and communities. Clyst Vale students should be fully prepared for success in an increasingly globalised and interdependent world, and aspire to be responsible local and global citizens.

Britain is now a very diverse society; finding out about the beliefs and values of all people makes us think about what we believe, and reflect on our own choices. Students should consider how they can draw parallels to other people’s lives and beliefs and to lead them to a deeper understanding and respect of a range of ethical/religious concepts and ideas, and to challenge views which are rooted in prejudice and ignorance. As a Rights Respecting School, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child is fully embedded throughout our curriculum. This helps build student’s confidence to make informed decisions. They have a moral framework, based on equality and respect for all that lasts a lifetime, as they grow into engaged, responsible members of society. Children and adults develop an ethos and language of rights and respect around the school. Rights and principles of the Convention are used to put moral situations into perspective and consider rights-respecting solutions – this all has a huge impact on relationships and well-being. We encourage our young people to get very involved in raising awareness about social justice issues, both at home and abroad. They become ambassadors for rights and take part in campaigns and activities to help to bring about change.

We aim to encourage all of our pupils to think critically about challenging moral questions. This helps them to develop their own ideas and opinions, and ultimately shapes who they are. Learning to express our own beliefs and to listen to the views of others is an important life skill and this is something the staff within our department have a passion for. Students should leave with an open mind and a love of learning.