CURRICULUM OVERVIEW - HUMANITIES |

History Curriculum

The history curriculum at Plantsbrook is designed around a chronological approach that builds the story of our past. Across each key stage, pupils will take a walk through time, exploring the changing nature of society in Britain and the wider world. We aim to ensure pupils will know about the major events of those who lived before us to better understand and appreciate our society today. We believe that history is about real people and their experiences and every lesson aims to tell that story in an exciting and engaging way; think Horrible Histories with added fun and passion!

The subject content of the National Curriculum for history is the foundation for each Key Stage 3 topic. We begin Year 7 with a study of Roman and Medieval history, examining the diversity of past societies. We then explore the complexities of Tudor life and the relationship between the monarchy and the emerging modern United Kingdom. Our Year 8 and 9 curriculum brings pupils into the 20th Century, considering how modern warfare and technology have affected the world. At Key Stage 4, the OCR Schools History Project specification caters for all historical interests, ensuring that every learner loves their lessons. From Elizabethan pirates, to life in Nazi Germany, the diverse course content aims to spark an enthusiasm for history that can be enriched further at A Level. All aspects of our curriculum considers the identify of people in the past from a range of communities whilst reflecting on modern society and the challenges that will become history lessons in the future.

At every key stage, we aim to inspire pupils curiosity to know more about the past, equipping them with the skill to ask questions, think critically, develop perspective and judgement whilst writing both creatively and analytically. We facilitate opportunities for pupils to experience living history locally, nationally and internationally, ensuring pupils fully appreciate how our world has evolved.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

KS4 History

KS5 History

Geography Curriculum

The geography curriculum at Plantsbrook is designed around a continental approach that aims to inspire in pupils a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people. Across each key stage, pupils embark on a journey around the globe, learning about the physical and human environments that make each continent unique. Pupils will know about the world we live in with an emphasis on equality, sustainability and preservation. Geography is so much more than maps and atlases. It is a fascinating subject that we believe teaches young people to be appreciative of our living and human environment and we hold that purpose at the core of our vision.

The subject content of the National Curriculum for geography is the foundation for each Key Stage 3 topic. In Year 7, pupils begin with a study of their local geography, Europe and Asia. In Year 8, they resume their journey with a tour of Africa, the Americas and Antarctica. In Year 9, pupils examine the challenges facing our world including natural hazards, inequality and climate change. Every pupil will end Year 9 with a clear understanding of the dynamic nature of the world we live in today. For those pupils who pursue GCSE and A-Level geography, the AQA specifications explore our living world whilst examining urban and economic issues and challenges. Every lesson makes geography relevant and enables our pupils to understand and embrace our ever-changing world.

At every key stage, each topic aims to develop a range of skills, allowing pupils to collect, analyse and communicate a range of data. They will be able to interpret a range of sources of geographical information, including maps, diagrams, aerial photographs and Geographical Information systems (GIS). We also believe fieldwork is essential to this and aim to give pupils experiences beyond the classroom that develop their love of learning the subject within local, national and international environments.

Year 7

Year 8

Year 9

Year 10

Year 11

Religious Education Curriculum

The Religious Education curriculum at Plantsbrook is designed to equip pupils in a rapidly changing world to recognise the importance of understanding different groups and communities. We encourage pupils to value and celebrate each other’s cultural and religious heritage, whilst promoting mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

The Birmingham Local Agreed Syllabus for RE helps to shape the curriculum at Key Stage 3. In Year 7, pupils gain an introduction to the 6 major religions that are found in Birmingham. Pupils then examine different aspects of those religions such as the religious actions and practices involved in festivals, and religious beliefs around suffering. In Year 8, pupils continue to explore how beliefs affect our actions, including topics on crime and punishment, good and evil and war and peace. Throughout Key Stage 3 we consider non religious perspectives, encapsulated in the Year 9 topics of religion and science and medical ethics. These topics provide an excellent foundation for Key Stage 4 and 5 where we offer Philosophy and Ethics which embeds the teaching of religion into themes that develop our pupils into well rounded adults. We believe that our curriculum makes our pupils more considerate young adults who fully appreciate each other, our school community and wider society.

At every key stage, the teaching of religion, philosophy and ethics develops pupils holistically, enhancing their intellectual, practical, spiritual, social and emotional capacities. The curriculum equips them with the skill to reason, debate, challenge and evaluate both in the spoken and written form. Lessons are about the world in which we live and the differing perspective humans have about that world so that our learners leave us being the best version of themselves.