Humanities
The Humanities Department aims to develop an enthusiasm for learning in children, based on interesting and varied teaching methods, which allows them to reach their maximum potential in terms of acquiring both skills and knowledge.
The teaching of History and Geography at The English School fully incorporates the requirements of the National Curriculum for England and Wales. At Key Stage 1 these two subjects are combined and taught as 'Topics'. At Key Stages 2 and 3 History and Geography are taught discretely. There is an emphasis on cross-curricular links throughout the Key Stages. Children examining play scripts in Literacy may read 'The Working Children' by Wes Magee, a play script that explains how Dr. Bernado helps two orphans living on the streets of London in Victorian Times. In Numeracy pupils learning how to represent data graphically, can apply these skills to analyse population statistics.
The Humanities Department is well resourced with up-to-date material including textbooks, historical artefacts, videos, atlases and maps. Pupils use a range of CD-Roms and the internet to access specific websites. Additional information can be found in the school library.
A 'hands-on' approach is taken wherever possible. Children may act as archaeologists or set up weather stations to records and analyse data. Drama plays are an important roll in Humanities. There are special days in History, for example 'Roman Day' in Year 3. The work covered in History and Geography in the classroom often forms the basis for class assemblies.