Humanities cover the teaching of Geography and History. Learning is contextualised; it is taught through a range of topics over the year as part of our Creative Curriculum. Each year group will follow between 4 – 6 topics per academic year ensuring coverage of both the skills and knowledge content outlined in the National Curriculum. Teachers are encouraged to plan engaging lessons which aim to inspire pupils’ curiosity and interest of the past and the world around them.

Each topic has a main subject focus, for example the focus for ‘Romans’ and ‘Anglo Saxons vs. Vikings’ is History, whilst for ‘Africa’ and ‘Hackney’, it is Geography. Topics begin and end in exciting, memorable ways, for example Year 3 pupils participated in a Day of the Dead celebration as part of the ‘Mexico’ topic.

Learning is extended and consolidated with cross curricular links to other subjects. Lessons are taught in creative and interesting ways. Local visits, school workshops and trips provide meaningful learning opportunities and a chance for pupils to apply their knowledge and skills.

Throughout the school calendar we have special focus months and weeks where the whole school deepens their understanding and knowledge of a theme.  For example, in October we celebrate Black History month and in November 2014 we had a Centenary week.

History

In Key Stage One, pupils learn about significant people, places and events from the past. As pupils move into Key Stage Two we expect them to develop a good chronological understanding of Britain and the wider world.  We encourage children to make links between time periods they have studied and note contrasts and trends over time.  We provide children with the opportunity to think critically, ask and answer questions and interpret and investigate the past.
Geography

Throughout Key Stage One and Two pupils are engaged in learning about a variety of people, places and environments, both locally and further afield.  Locational knowledge and geographical skills are developed through the use of atlases, maps, globes and digital mapping.  Pupils build up their understanding of human and physical geography, for example by learning about rivers as part of the ‘Journeys’ topic or the distribution of natural resources whilst learning about ‘Africa’.  Pupils take part in fieldwork opportunities to explore the school and surrounding environment.