Geography, History and RE

Humanities at Lighthouse - Geography, History and RE

Why is it important to our students’ futures?

Humanities encompasses Geography, History and RE. Through the study of these, students develop a rich understanding of the world – past and present – and becoming positive global citizens. They build an understanding of theirs and other cultures – building tolerance, mutual respect, and understanding across different cultures and communities. Students develop a clearer sense of self through studying Humanities. It is in these lessons that students are taught to ask perceptive questions about changes in society, the reasons for conflict and the consequences of decisions. A key skill developed in Humanities is verifying a source. This is of particular importance to our students who are more susceptible to fake news. Students also develop the skills of debating in Humanities. This includes developing and structuring arguments and responding to opposing viewpoints. Again, this is a fundamental life skill our students need to develop to be successful in the modern world.

What does Humanities look like in Lighthouse School?

• We have a spiral curriculum that supports our learners in retaining learning and building on concepts.
• For the majority of students Geography, History, and RE are taught as discrete subjects.
• Currently, Humanities is taught at KS3 only, but where a student has expressed an interest in studying a Humanities subject in KS4 or KS5, we have partnered with a neighbouring secondary school and the students have accessed the course there.
• Humanities works closely with the English department so that all of the historical contexts for the texts taught in GCSE English Literature are pre-taught in KS3. For example, students study Animal Farm in GCSE English Literature and Communist Russia is a topic in KS3 History.

What visitors/enrichment activities take place in the subject?

• There have been multiple religious speakers from community faith groups and visits to local places of worship.
• Students have visited a wide-range of local ecological sites to embed their learning in Geography. What have students gone on to achieve in the subject? Students have practically engaged with Humanities. This includes creating meals out of the food available to Victorians, making models of volcanoes, and student-projects on a wide range of faiths.

Geography Curriculum:

History Curriculum:

RE Curriculum: