Humanities Department
The Staff
There are seven in the department, one part-time.
History has three members of staff; Geography two; R.E. one and Leisure and Tourism one.
Although we are all subject specialists, we also teach other subjects within the department.
The Subjects
Geography, R.E. and History are the main subjects.
History, Geography and R.E. are each taught for an hour each week at Key Stage 3.
All three subjects are offered at G.C.S.E. as well as V.G.C.S.E. Leisure and Tourism.
Geography and History are taught to AS and A2 level as well as A.V.C.E. Travel and Tourism.
Compulsory R.E. is taught at K.S.4 and K.S.5 as a Beliefs course.
The Accommodation
We occupy a suite of rooms adjacent to the Learning Resource Centre, conveniently close for our students to use during lessons.
Currently, we have a room for ICT use, which contains a suite of 18 computers, as well as access to 30 laptops sited in the Learning Resource Centre.
The Resources
Each subject has standard sets of texts for each key stage.
We make use of a wide range of additional resources: other texts, commercial worksheets, our own worksheets, the library, project collections, fieldwork, interactive whiteboards, websites etc.
Teaching and Learning
The Department has very good Teaching and Learning, employing a variety and range of teaching methodologies.
Our relationships with students are a particular strength. We are at the forefront of implementing the literacy and TLF strands of the KS3 strategy.
We encourage our students to take responsibility for their learning, including reviewing their progress.
“teaching and learning are very good in Geography, History and RE”
“the monitoring of students’ progress is exemplary in Geography, History and RE”
(Ofsted)
We run two 11th sessions, and students come along for additional help with homework and coursework. 11th sessions are more informal than lessons and provide us with an opportunity to develop our relationships with students.
Our Results
As a department we perform well within the context of the college’s results.
Across the Key stages teaching and learning are very good with all students making very good progress.
Leisure & Tourism
Year 10 and 11 = GCSE Leisure and Tourism (Double Award)
This subject is offered as an option in the student GCSE choices. It is a course which is very much applied to the two of the most exciting, dynamic and fastest growing industries in the world. We focus upon the leisure facilities in the UK and examine very popular outlets such as Wembley and the Peak District National Park. We investigate the role of travel agents, tour operators, airlines and other elements of the tourist industry. We look in detail at case studies which include the marketing of the Alton Towers theme park and the excellent customer service provided by the Galleries of Justice museum. The course involves several visits to leisure and tourism sites. Last term the year 11 class visited the Alton Towers theme park, experienced the rides and joined a seminar led by the parks’ marketing team. This term they will be visiting the Galleries of Justice in preparation for their next piece of coursework. The year 10 group will visit our local national park next term to sample the countryside and collect data for their exam. The course is good very anyone wanting to work in these industries or who simply want to learn a new subject.
This course is currently taught by Judith Graves and David Mackay.
Year 12 and 13 = GCE AS / A2 Travel and Tourism
This course can be studied for 1 year to AS level or for 2 years to A2 standard. The course examines and analyses the global arena of travel and tourism. We investigate local destinations within the UK but also we research wider destinations such as Dubai and Kenya. This course completes a detailed study of the many components of the travel and tourism industries. Students are expected to prepare for exams but also to complete extended independent research into a range of areas. This research is largely unique to the individual student, designed by them and facilitated by the teacher. Presently, our year 13 students are researching into terrorist threats within the accommodation sector, the impacts of current issues on the ski industry and also an examination of Blackpool’s ‘master plan’ for the future. Visits to the industry are a key part of this course. The year 13 students have been responsible for planning a residential trip to London for some of the year 12 and year 13 students. This event will form part of their coursework and will take place in February. These students also visited Edinburgh last year and will be flying over to Jersey later this spring. This hands-on experience is considered to be an important part of the course
This course is currently taught by Judith Graves, Michael Booth and Lindsay Traylor. These teachers are the head of travel and tourism, geography and business studies respectively. Their combined expertise works well to provide a balanced delivery of the AS and A2 course.
Religious Studies
In Year 7 we follow the Enquiring Minds scheme of work.
In Year 8 we study the following topics: Inspired People, Christmas, Judaism, Easter, Buddhism, Ancient Religions
In Year 9 we study the following topics: Sikhism, Moral Issues, Islam, Is there a God?, Hinduism, the Holocaust
In Year 10 Beliefs lessons we study: Human Rights, Conflict & Forgiveness, Evil/Brave New World
In Year 10 GCSE we do the following topics: the Nature of God, the Nature of Belief, Religion & Science, Death & the Afterlife,
Good & Evil, Human Relationships, Medical Ethics, Poverty & Wealth
We have set up an Amnesty International Youth group.
