Humanities

Welcome to Humanities!

What is Humanities?

Humanities comes from the Latin ‘humanus’ which literally translates to ‘human’. Therefore, Humanities is all about the study of human culture. You will explore this idea through the subjects Geography, History and Religious Studies:

History: the study of the past
Geography: the study of the world around us
RS: the study of religion and how it affects us

In Year 7, your timetable will have History and Geography on it. You will be taught Religious Studies across both of these slots on your timetable.

Use the drop-down options below to explore!

What will I learn?

The History curriculum starts with History of Northumbria. You will explore almost 2000 years of history from our local area and learn about invasions, religion, battles and more! You may have visited some of the areas we will study or have already gained some knowledge in primary school.

To help prepare, you could even try reading some of 'Children's History of Northumberland'. You can access extracts from the book and some quizzes here.

Geography

In Geography, you will start the year by Exploring the United Kingdom. This is a Geography module and will give you the opportunity to explore the physical, environmental and human geography of the United Kingdom.

If you would like to get a head start before September, have a look at the links below which contain videos and readings relating to what you'll learn!

Religious Studies

In September, you will start the year studying Should we cancel Christmas? This will be taught in the History slots on your timetable. You will study key Christian teachings and how the Bible relates to life around us. You will then look at social issues and form an argument on whether we should cancel Christmas.

Later on in the year, you will study 'People of the Book' in the Geography slots on your timetable. You will explore Islam and Judaism, their key beliefs, practices and lifestyles that come from this.

Knowledge Organisers

FAQs:

What’s the difference between History, Geography and RS?

Each subject looks at different parts of the world around us. They all focus on different skills, which you will practice throughout the year. For example, in Geography you will study the world around us, which means you will practice map skills and fieldwork. In History, you will study sources that tell you about the past and research important events that happened.

How can I study RS across two other subjects?

You will cover Religious Studies at two different points in the school year. For example, in September you will start with an RS module in your History lessons, then move onto the History curriculum. Students study the three subjects equally across the school year.

I’ve never studied History or Geography before! Is it hard?

Some of you may have had “Topic” in primary school, which is a mix of Humanities. If you haven’t studied them separately, don’t worry! We will explain the differences to you and before you know it, you will be experts.

What if I’ve already studied something we’re learning about?

In Year 7 we like to pick subjects that you might already have some knowledge on. This way we can challenge you by looking at the subjects in more detail. For example, you might know where the River Thames is, but you will learn about the different sections of the river and how it affects the environment surrounding it.

How do I get assessed in Humanities?

Every module has an assessment at the end and an extended writing halfway through. We will let you know when these are and you will have time to prepare for them. You will have quizzes and spelling tests throughout the year, and your teacher will also give you feedback in your book regularly. Your teacher will take all of this information to review whether you are on track for your target grade at the end of the year.

Who will be teaching me in September?

Mr Clark

Deputy Headteacher

Specialism: History

Favourite part of my subject: Learning about the Battle of Hastings - not just because it's a hugely important event and I love the Saxons but mainly because we teach it in the summer and usually go to Alex Park to act out the Battle... no-one has ever been injured yet, apart from one 'warrior' who tripped over her sword!

Fun fact: I once appeared in a WW2 film made in Northumberland!

Mrs Penman

Head of Geography

Favourite part of my subject: I love learning all about different people, countries and cultures. Human geography (learning about people) is my favourite part, but I really enjoy seeing how our physical environment and human environment are interlinked. I also obviously love anything to do with David Attenborough and the department has a life-size cut out to keep us company in the office!

Fun fact: I once did a 15,000ft skydive onto a beach in Australia!

Mrs Thornton

Head of History

Favourite part of my subject: I enjoy teaching about the reign of Elizabeth I

Fun fact: I'm trained in European Studies including politics, literature and German. I love to occasionally throw some German phrases into History lessons!

Mrs Douglas

Head of RE

Favourite part of my subject: Learning how other people live. I am nosy! I like to find out about different lifestyles, how this changes in different time periods and places and how beliefs affect the way people approach things.

Fun fact: I experienced the aftershocks of an earthquake when I was on holiday in Turkey once. I also used to be able to play Jingle Bells on the harmonica!

Mrs Anderson

Specialism: History

Favourite part of my subject: My favourite topic in history is the Tudors. I love all the different characters, especially the female roles. After all, this period saw the first female monarch Mary I (otherwise known as Bloody Mary) and then Elizabeth I.

Fun fact: I am originally from Liverpool (but support Everton - no comments please!) I came to study History and politics at Newcastle university in 2001 and have never left. I love it so much!

Mr Crick

Specialism: History

Favourite part of my subject: I love History because learning about the past helps us to understand the present and imagine what the future might be like.

Fun fact: During 'lockdown' I've done some research into my local area: around 100 years ago, someone named Rudolph Abel, a very famous Russian spy lived on my street and a man named William Currey, who served and died in WW1 lived in my house. Why don't you do some research into the history of your house/street/area?

Mr Denny

Specialism: Geography

Favourite part of my subject: I love anything geography related! But I am particularly interested in social geography (the human aspects), which involves learning about cultures and different ways of life to my own!

Geography is amazing as it is ‘real’ and connects to everything everywhere!

Fun Fact: I love to travel and I have swam with a shark in Thailand!

Mrs Ellwood

Specialism: Geography

Favourite part of my subject: My favourite part of Geography is the physical geography, in particular natural hazards such as tropical storms, volcanoes and earthquakes. I find it interesting to see the extent to which they can impact our lives but also how we can manage them. Although I am a physical geographer, I do enjoy superpower geographies and how countries maintain and grow their global status.

Fun fact: I was a British Taekwondo Champion.

Mrs Esbensen

Specialism: RE

Favourite part of my subject: I really enjoy examining important ethical issues and seeing students form their own ideas and engaging in debate.

Fun fact: I love dogs and have a (very greedy but cute) 7 year old golden Labrador called Archie. I have also done a parachute jump!

Mr Fleming

Specialism: Geography

Favourite part of my subject: I enjoy fieldwork where we can put all that theory into practical use and explore nature on field trips, especially the ones on the coast

Fun fact: I have the full UK released collection of Studio Ghibli animations (Japan's version of 'Disney' but better) amongst which my favourites are Spirited Away, Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke and Howl's Moving Castle.

Mrs Gill

Specialism: Geography

Favourite part of my subject: Obviously, I love all aspects of geography as it’s all so fascinating! However, my absolute favourite part is human geography. I especially enjoy focusing on solutions to global problems like climate change, population explosions and super volcanoes!

Fun fact: My claim to fame is that I went to school with a Premier League footballer and went to university with the daughter of a famous actress.

Miss Knox

Specialism: History

Favourite part of my subject: I have always been really interested in military history, particularly World War Two. This period saw the rise of different ideologies such as fascism, national socialism and communism on a grand scale.

Fun Fact: I love dogs and I own a Bichon Frise called Darcy. He's names after the main character Mr Darcy from my favourite book Pride and Prejudice.

Miss Stewart

Specialism: History

Favourite part of my subject: I love teaching medicine in Medieval England. Lots of icky diseases and weird treatments!

Fun fact: I love puns and bad jokes. My most prized possession is a ruler with a list of English Kings and Queens (a ruler of rulers...get it?).

Mrs Wright

Specialism: History

Favourite part of my subject: The Battle of Hastings, and the weird and wonderful individuals who have changed the course of history!

Fun fact: I love running and karate

Miss Young

Specialism: Geography

Favourite part of my subject: I really enjoy teaching and learning about the future of our planet. It is really important to learn about the ways in which we can look after our land and oceans and celebrate the positive changes that people are making!

Fun Fact: I collect fossils and unique rocks and have done since I was little. I even have some Ammonites in my classroom! I also love anything to do with nature and I am a huge David Attenborough fan.

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