Humanities
The Humanities Faculty is based on the main school site in a variety of locations and accommodations. The faculty includes the following disciplines:
- Belief and Values (RE)
- Geography
- History
- Psychology
- PSHE
- Sociology
This diverse curriculum is delivered by eight dedicated staff, all subject specialists in their own field. Our approach to teaching and learning is built on mutual respect and preparedness to share good ideas. We recognise the role we have as teachers and as members of a successful faculty team in sustaining high expectations and delivering examination success. We seek to provide equal access to a relevant and wide-ranging curriculum, whilst recognising that students have differing potentials. We seek to provide at all key stages an enriched curriculum for all students.
These are exciting times for the Humanities Faculty at Oldfield. Academy status frees departments from the restrictions of the National Curriculum and offers the chance to plan an exciting Key Stage 3 curriculum for our Years 7-9, both boys and girls. The English Baccalaureate may also see a rise in status and popularity of both Geography and History at GCSE.
Belief and Values
The department is based in a freestanding learning suite of two rooms. Students are taught the discipline for one lesson per week from Year 7-11.
In the lower school the students are taught in mixed ability tutor or teaching groups.
In Key Stage 4 all students have the opportunity to follow either a short course or full GCSE provided by WJEC.
In the Sixth Form students follow the OCR Philosophy and Ethics A Level. As the title suggests, half the course is Philosophy, which looks at the Philosophy of Religion, whilst the other half studies Ethical Theories and Applied Ethical Topics. Visit the Belief and Values section here.
Geography
The department is based in a modern purpose built block with three classrooms, office and storage rooms. Students are taught the discipline for three lessons per fortnight in Key Stage 3. They are taught in mixed ability tutor or teaching groups.
At Key Stage 4 Geography is a popular GCSE option choice, normally having two groups in both Year 10 and 11. Students receive five one-hour periods per fortnight and follow the AQA ‘A’ specification. In Year 10 they presently study Urban, Tourism and Population, whilst in Year 11 Rivers, Coasts and Tectonics are studied.
At A Level the department continues its association with AQA. At AS the following modules are studied: Rivers, Glaciation, Population and Food Supply. For A2, students study Tectonics, Weather & Climate and Development, as well as evaluating a geographical issue in Paper 4B.
History
The department is based on the top floor of the main building where it has two classrooms, office and storage space. In Key Stage 3 the students receive three lessons per fortnight and are taught in mixed ability tutor or teaching groups. History is the most popular GCSE option choice, having up to four teaching groups in Year 10 and 11. Students presently follow the AQA GCSE where all study the History of Medicine and then groups opt for either Nazi Germany or Tudor England in Year 11. At A Level the department maintains its popularity with large numbers studying the AQA syllabus. At AS the following modules are studied: Anti-Semitism in Nazi Germany and Britain 1483-1529. For A2 students continue their early modern studies by completing the examination course Britain 1547 – 1603. They also produce an Historical Enquiry on The Civil Rights Movement in America. Visit the History section here.
Psychology
Psychology is offered in Key Stage 5 where it is a popular option choice as students want to study this new and interesting discipline. The AQA syllabus is used with students studying Unit 1: Cognitive Psychology, Developmental Psychology and Research Methods and Unit B: Biological Psychology, Social Psychology and Individual Differences for AS.
At A2 they study topics such as Relationships, Eating Behaviour, Psychology in Action and Research Methods.
PSHE
All students at Key Stage 3 and 4 have timetabled PSHE lessons, as well as off timetable events. In both key stages students have one hour a week of PSHE. In Years 7 and 8 the lessons are taken by the tutor. From Year 9 onwards it is taught by a small team of specialist teachers. It is hoped that PSHE helps our students to enjoy learning, make progress and achieve. They will become confident individuals who are able to live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives and are responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society.
Sociology
At AS students study units on Families and Education, along with accompanying Research Methods. For A2 students study modules on The Mass Media and Crime & Deviance, along with Theory and Methods. Throughout the AQA Sociology course students consider the integration of sociological themes of Culture & Identity, Socialisation and Social Differentiation.
ICT and the Faculty
All of the Humanities teaching rooms are provided with a staff computer and interactive whiteboard. In addition two of the Geography rooms have half a dozen computer terminals for use with students.
The faculty is based close to four computer suites and the Learning Resource Centre and staff make full use of these facilities.
Educational Visits
Visits are undertaken to reinforce the class learning of the students and bring the subject alive. Alternatively visitors from outside organisations are invited into school to inspire students.
Visits may be departmental, whole faculty or cross-faculty in nature.
Examples of visits undertaken or planned for 2010-11:
- Humanities visit to St Fagans with the whole of Year 8
- Year 10 History trip to the Roman Baths
- Year 9 Geography trip to a rainforest experience
- Year 8 Art/Geography visit to Victoria Park, Bath
- Year 11 History visit to the Globe Theatre and Tower of London
- Year 8 BV trip to a mosque and gurdwara
The Department
Miss L Jordan - Head of Humanities, Geography, Duke of Edinburgh Award
Mr H Crow - Teacher of Geography in all Key Stages
Dr W Allen - Teacher of Belief and Values in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5
Miss A Copeland - Teacher of Belief and Values in Key Stage 3, 4 and 5
Mrs S Mills - Teacher of History in all Key Stages and Learning Manager, coordinating the pastoral team
Mrs R Sayles - Head of Belief and Values, Head of PSHE, teacher in charge of the Learning Resource Centre, and teacher in charge of Sociology. Teacher of BV in Key Stages 3,4 & 5, Sociology in Years 11-13 and PSHE
Mr P Arkinstall - Teacher of History to all Key Stages
Mrs J Williamson - Part-time teacher of A Level Psychology
