Humanities

KS3 History Curriculum

The students carry out studies of people; what they did, why and the consequences these actions had on society. They study the rise and fall of Empires, the development of new nations, war and peace, hope and despair. It is the study of the events and people who shaped our world that offers our students the chance of contributing their own small part in shaping a better future.

The history curriculum encourages our students to think, to evaluate, argue, listen, reflect and empathise. History lessons allow our children to come to their own conclusions and have an opinion. History itself demands children to care, learn from the mistakes of the past and take responsibility for taking civilisation into the new Millennium.

Guest external contributors: Civil War re-enactment, Battle of Hastings, 1066 and The Battle of the Somme 1916.

KS4 History Curriculum

GCSE History (EDEXCEL) is taught by a team of experienced and specialist subject teachers, who have designed exciting and interesting courses for you. Students have five hours a fortnight for an elected subject at KS4.

Course content? The History course explores a wide range of topics:

1. Crime & Punishment c1000 to present (Paper 1) explores the changing nature of crimes / criminal activity, the changing nature of law enforcement / punishment. Special topic-crime and policing in Whitehall & Jack the Ripper.
2. Superpower Relations & Cold War 1941-1991 / Henry VIII and his Ministers 1509-1540 (Paper 2) explores USA and USSR relations between 1945-1991 and events which caused friction between the two. The Tudor module addresses the religious and political conflicts during the reign of Henry VIII.
3. USA 1954-1975 Conflict at Home and Abroad (Paper 3) addresses the Civil Rights Movement in America and American involvement in the Vietnam War.

How is this course assessed? The History course is assessed through three exams in Year 11:

1. Crime & Punishment c1000 to present (Paper 1) = 30% (1 hour 15 mins)
Question types: Describe, evaluate sources, comparison, explain cause, extended essay.

2. Superpower Relations & Cold War 1941-1991 / Henry VIII and his Ministers 1509-1540 (Paper 2) = 40% (1 hour 45 mins)
Question types: Explain cause and consequence, evaluate importance, extended essay.

3. USA 1954-1975: Conflict at Home and Abroad (Paper 3) = 30% (1 hour 20 mins)

Question types: Explain, Infer, Evaluate Sources and Interpretations.

Geography

Key Stage 3 Geography Curriculum

Our planet is a dynamic and ever-changing place. Our key stage 3 curriculum explores these changing human and physical environments. We study a wide curriculum on a variety of scales, from local to international.  We focus on topical issues affecting our planet today to equip our students with the knowledge, understanding and skills to contribute as active citizens of their communities.

Our curriculum encourages our students to be critical thinkers, to question the events and environments around them.  Geographers at John of Gaunt become flexible thinkers who can explore the wide-ranging impacts of events. We empower them to become the next generation of decision makers, who can shape society into a more sustainable future.

Key Stage 4 Geography Curriculum

GCSE Geography (AQA) is taught by a team of experienced and specialist subject teachers, who have designed inspiring and engaging courses for you. Students have five hours a fortnight for an elected subject at KS4. 

KS4 Geography Curriculum

There are currently two GCSE options you can take in KS4: GCSE Geography (AQA) and GCSE History (EDEXCEL).  These subjects are taught by a team of experienced and specialist subject teachers, who have designed exciting and interesting courses for you. Students have five hours a fortnight for an elected subject at KS4.

Course content? Geography is about understanding people and places. It is about investigating and making sense of environmental and social issues at local, national and global levels. The new Geography course explores a wide range of interesting topics:

1. The Physical Environment will investigate: Tectonic and Weather Hazards; Ecosystems such as Tropical Rainforests and Deserts; and UK landscapes including Coasts and Rivers.
2. The Human Environment will investigate: Urban (city) challenges such as Sustainability; Global Trade and Development issues; and Resource Management challenges such as Food Security.
3. The Fieldwork Trips will investigate Physical (natural) and Human environmental topics for class project work. Also, a mystery topical issue based on pre-release information will be explored.

How is this course assessed? The Geography course is assessed through 3 exams in Year 11:

1. Living with the Physical Environment (1.5 hours) – Question types: multiple-choice, short answer, source interpretation, extended prose and SPaG

2. Challenges in the Human Environment (Paper 2) = 35% (1.5 hours) – Question types: multiple-choice, source interpretation, short answer, extended prose and SPaG

3. Geographical Applications – Skills (Paper 3) = 30% (1.25 hours) – Question types: multiple-choice, short answer, source interpretation, extended prose and SPaG

KS5 Curriculum

Humanities currently offer six subjects at KS5. We teach A Levels in Law (OCR), Philosophy & Ethics (OCR), History (OCR) and Geography (AQA). The Humanities Department also delivers the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification). Information on these courses can be found below or by following the links to the Sixth Form website.

Extra-Curricular Opportunities

The Humanities Staff are responsible for a huge range of extracurricular activities, clubs and roles. Please find below a selection of events and activities which gives a flavour of what we offer.

In-School Clubs and Activities

• Union 2 – including St. Augustine’s / Clarendon / local clergy Multi-Faith Room G30
• Multi-Faith Day / Multi-Faith Week
• Religious Visitors
• Humanities DVD Library
• Holocaust Assembly every year

National Extra-Curricular Activities

• Dorset Project Day Trip (Yr 9)
• Junior Magistrates Bar Mock Trial (Yr 8-9)
• Yr 7 Avebury trip
• Model United Nations Conference (KS3-5)
• Geography 4 day trips including Bristol Harbourside, St Stephens Place, Chesil Beach and Norton Brook
• Ten-Tors: 6 camping weekends every September-May (Yr 9-Yr 12)
• Yr10 trip to Bath City Centre to assess the integrated traffic management scheme
• Yr11 to Studland Sand Dunes

International Extra-Curricular Activities

• History 3 day Trenches Trip every July (KS4)
• History 5 day Berlin Trip every Feb (Yr 12)
• Lessons from Auschwitz Project Seminars & Trip every March (2 Yr 13 students)

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of the members of staff in the Humanities Faculty.